The Dragons are closing in on a deal to make two-time premiership-winning coach Phil Gould their saviour for 2020 and beyond.

Wide World of Sports can reveal that Gould has been involved in secret talks with Dragons chief executive Brian Johnston and coach Paul McGregor after the Big Red V's season from hell.

The former Blues State of Origin coach is expected to head up the Dragons' end of season review to 'test the waters'.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor could be sacked by the club in an end-of-season review, a new report says.

There has also been a more permanent role discussed, with the possibility that he will take a General Manager of Football role next season, similar to the one he held at Penrith for the best part of a decade.

Gould parted company with the Panthers in April but is still contracted to the club until next month.

McGregor is under massive pressure at the Dragons, with the club winning just seven of 23 games to date and set to finish in second last spot on the ladder.

There has been an outcry from fans, with many demanding change. Bringing Gould in to help the embattled coach would be a shrewd move by the club.

The Dragons have long been criticised for handing 'jobs for the boys' to former players.

But Gould has had no affiliation with the club throughout his long career and the fact that the Dragons are going to him is a clear - and many will say long overdue - shift in policy.