Red tape prompts ex-Bradford Bulls coach Smith to head home

The Australian, unpaid for two months while the club was in administration and then liquidation, heads home next week.

Smith, 35, met Bradford’s new owners on Tuesday but said they were “not on the same page” and he withdrew his interest in being considered for the role.

“It’s disappointing but there is a great opportunity now for the club to build a platform from the bottom up,” he said.

“I hope they do well and it goes ahead after a difficult time. It’s been a great experience for me over here and everyone’s treated me and my family so well.

“It’s not put me off coaching. Far from it. I’ve never been more interested in being a coach than I do right now and I can’t wait to get back on the horse.

“Obviously, January, February and March are probably the worst months of the year to be job hunting. A couple of jobs came up around Christmas time but at that point I was totally committed to sticking it out here.

“I’d put a lot of hard work into building a squad competitive for this season but circumstances changed that. There’s a couple of opportunities to maybe be an assistant at a Super League club but the conditions of my visa say I can only be a head coach here.”

Smith, who quit as Gold Coast Titans assistant last May to join Bradford, thanked RFL Cares for helping staff through their financial problems and heaped praise on his own dedicated colleagues.

Bradford have yet to appoint a new coach but veteran stand-off Leon Pryce has confirmed he will stay and Sunday’s testimonial for Huddersfield Giants’ Luke Robinson will go ahead as planned.