ROHAN Smith’s desire to broaden his horizons is abundantly clear and stems from his wealth of experience and contacts gained in the NRL and beyond.

He will head to America on a fact-finding mission at the end of the rugby league season to visit sporting teams and tap into a number of leading coaches about their styles and philosophies.

But the man whose mind he would most like to meet is one of his greatest sporting inspirations – Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

The new Bulls head coach has supported the Gunners since childhood and fondly remembers them pipping Liverpool to the league title in 1989.

Smith was living in England at the time when his dad Brian was Hull FC coach and Arsenal needed to win 2-0 at Anfield in the title decider.

Michael Thomas’ strike sealed victory by that scoreline for George Graham’s side and Smith remembered: “Dad is a Gunners fan, so I have been as well from day one.

“I remember living in the UK when Michael Thomas scored that famous goal at Anfield to make Arsenal champions of England.

“I loved the transition from the ‘boring boring Arsenal’, often winning 1-0 under George Graham, to the Wenger regime.

“He is a genius and I would love to spend time with him, or just see how the system at Arsenal operates.”

Wenger, appointed in 1996, has just guided Arsenal to Champions League qualification for the 20th successive season, a record no other English club can boast.

They even finished above bitter rivals Tottenham in second this season and, while some Arsenal supporters believe Wenger’s time is up, Smith is not one of them.

Wenger, who has a degree in economics from Strasbourg University and speaks five languages, has guided Arsenal to three Premier League titles and six FA Cups during the past two decades.

As Smith suggested, the studious Frenchman has achieved all that with a style and panache which makes the dour and sterile image of so many successful Arsenal sides a distant memory.

“I’d love to meet Wenger, I’m getting shivers just thinking about it,” said Smith, who landed the Bulls job on his 35th birthday.

“That would be all-time if I could meet that guy.

“I’ve followed his pathway and read up about him a lot down the years.

“He thinks outside the box and is a very resilient and strong person.

“He does what he believes in and I think that has to be the number one principle for you as a head coach, and probably in most walks of life.

“You’ve got to stick to what you believe in and go with that.

“Wenger has Arsenal’s best interests at heart all the time and in every role I’ve had so far in rugby league, I’ve always put my club’s best interests first – way before my own.”

Behind Smith’s laid-back Aussie demeanour lies an articulate, intelligent young coach with ambition coursing through his veins.

“What sort of personality am I? I’m pretty calm these days, I think,” said Smith.

“That’s the only way to be for me because that’s when I get the best out of myself, when I’m calm and relaxed.

“I’m pretty enthusiastic, I love rugby league and helping players to improve themselves.

“I love the sport and going into work every day to make myself better and helping people to make better versions of themselves.”

It has been a whirlwind week for Smith, who only landed in the UK on Saturday before watching his new team destroy Swinton the following day.

On Monday morning he formally started work and Tuesday involved a first meeting with the media and a fans forum in which he was rapturously received by Bradford supporters.

Smith, of course, lived in the area during his dad’s spell in charge of the Bulls two decades ago.

Smith said: “I was in the car the other day and it felt familiar.

“We were driving past Woodhouse Grove School and then I realised ‘that’s why it feels familiar!’

“My wife and 10-month-old are going through the visa application process at the moment and will hopefully be here soon because I’m already missing them.

“Coming here to Bradford is a fantastic life experience for us as a young family.

“I’ve been married for a couple of years and we have a son… maybe our next child will be an Englishman or woman?

“It’s a great lifestyle opportunity for us and we are really looking forward to all parts of the move.

“Not just the footie, but actually getting into the Yorkshire way of life again.”

He might just manage to take in an Arsenal game or two as well.