Canterbury legend and director Steve Mortimer fears the Bulldogs are "losing our DNA" under Des Hasler ahead of a critical meeting that could determine the coach's future at the club.

Several Bulldogs directors are concerned about the direction of the "Family Club" under Hasler, with the issue to be thrashed out an emergency meeting on Friday. Hasler is contracted until the end of next year, while negotiations for a two-year extension - which have been ongoing for more than six months - appear to have stalled.

It's understood that if Hasler were to part company with the club, former Bulldogs forward and Raiders assistant coach Dean Pay is the favourite to take over.

Mortimer, one of the club's favourite sons, is a director of both the leagues and football clubs. The former halfback said he respected Hasler as a coach, but questioned whether the former Manly mentor was the right fit at Belmore.