Ciraldo signs on as Bulldogs NRL coach

But he's decided to take the step up into the head coach role at the Bulldogs after previously knocking back the Wests Tigers job.

Interim Bulldogs coach Mick Potter was keen to stay on after taking over from sacked coach Trent Barrett.

However Canterbury general manager of football Gus Gould wanted Ciraldo, who has been in various coaching roles at the Panthers since 2014, to fill the position.

His arrival at Belmore will likely secure star playmaker Matt Burton - who Ciraldo previously coached at Penrith - long-term at Canterbury.