Penrith have sensationally sacked coach Ivan Cleary with a year left to run on his contract with the NRL club.
The Panthers announced the move in a statement on Monday evening, following a meeting between Cleary and executive general manager Phil Gould earlier in the day.
“Gould today met with coach Ivan Cleary and informed him the club has terminated the final year of his contract, effective immediately,” the statement read.
It was Gould who lured Cleary from the Warriors to the Panthers ahead of the 2012 season, the year after he had led the Auckland-based franchise to just their second grand final.
“Ivan Cleary has done a tremendous job in his four years at the Panthers,” Gould said.
“He has laid the foundation for the future and we are enormously grateful for his contribution to the club.
“We wish Ivan, his wife Rebecca and his family all the very best for the future.”
Cleary had managed to turn Penrith into a premiership force after several seasons in the doldrums and led them to a preliminary final appearance in 2014.
However this year, amid a high injury toll, they only just avoided the wooden spoon courtesy of a final-round victory over Newcastle, who finished last.
Cleary had been repeatedly linked to a return to the Warriors toward the latter stages of the 2015 season as a replacement for Andrew McFadden.
Former Brisbane mentor Anthony Griffin and ex-Wests Tigers clipboard holder Mick Potter, both of whom were in the running for the top job at Newcastle won by Nathan Brown, loom as possibilities to take over from Cleary – as could Panthers NSW Cup coach Garth Brennan and former Manly boss Geoff Toovey.
Brennan led Penrith to the NSW Cup title last season and also put his hat in the ring for the job at the Knights, following Rick Stone’s sacking midway through 2015.
Cleary’s departure leaves a coaching vacuum at the club, after his assistant Trent Barrett left the foot of the mountains earlier this year to take over from Toovey at Brookvale.
pete bloor
Guest
It's probably the only job worse than refereeing. Ultimate control is in the hands of other people whom other people help select. And your boss will never have your back as there is a long list of future candidates that don't yet realise what a crap job it is. I've got my level 2 in coaching and if I never use it again it will be too soon!
Chui
Guest
Maybe Ricky Stuart is looking for a change of scenery. I mean, he hasn't had a payout for a while now.
pete bloor
Guest
Prior to this year he was over 50% though and it isn't like there is a long list of 50+% coaches in the unemployment queue
Samtwocan
Guest
Gould wouldn't have done this if he didn't have a suitable replacement waiting in the wings ,
up up cronulla
Guest
Geez a bit rough, flanno nearly destroyed sharks and got a new contract , good ole gus gould!
James T
Guest
Maybe gus sees a premiership coming and is planning a comeback
curaeus
Guest
Gould and Jason Taylor could be brothers with their "everybody's fault but mine" blame shifting. Love to see Wests Tigers add to their collection of excellent former Pennies officials by replacing Taylor with Cleary-a guy who actually CAN coach!
Ron Swanson
Guest
2017 Cleary/Stacey Jones co coaches at Warriors.
Ron Swanson
Guest
Griffin had a team littered with rep stars a record just a tick over 50% the move is personal blind Freddy can see that. Cleary would of stuck up to Gould & we know the rest. The claim players will resign for Griffin?? Laughable
Ron Swanson
Guest
4 out of 6 years with Warriors would of been 5 if not for 4 point salary cap deduction. Started life at Penrith with terrible roster. 5 out of 10 seasons with a debate over 6, you may want to check your facts. Dumb move in my opinion, no better coaches in the market and I doubt Toovey will commute to the mountains or have a desire to work with the egotistical GM!!
Parrafan
Guest
Anybody would be tired having to listen to Gould's droning for four years. Panthers have jumped the gun.
FrozenNorth
Guest
He "looked tired" according to Gould and as a manager you at times need to make that call but geeeeeeee i thought they were incredible last year and the past two years have been the absolute worst injury runs of any club i have seen in 30 years. Crippling.
Samtwocan
Guest
Perhaps this is Ryan O's predicted sacking of a coach due to a sex scandal ?????
MikeTV
Guest
Geoff Toovey moving to Penrith ?
Eden
Guest
Bit harsh, and not really anyone out there who you would pick to replace him
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Any coach that gets the opportunity to get out at the Warriors before the players get lazy and refuse to put in should probably take it, but the fact that Cleary got them to a final shows he can coach regardless of any stats people care to bring up.
jamesb
Guest
Coaching is such a secure job?
ferret
Guest
Wow. I really rated Cleary, especially with what he did at the Warriors. Plus last year with a fairly average roster he almost got the Panthers to the big dance. This year they got absolutely crippled with injuries. Gould kept on mouthing how the Panthers had a 5-year plan to get local talent into the NRL side. After a couple of impressive years with their juniors it looked like they're just about to reap the benefits. I think Cleary had a lot to do with that and now he won't get to enjoy his hard work. Jeez, Gould makes a great politician promising "full support" but sharpening the knives nonetheless. Who can trust a single thing Gus says? He has multiple platforms to spout his opinions about rugby league but could you really trust him?
Emcie
Roar Guru
Hooks record wouldn't be that much better would it?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Anthony Griffin is the name doing the rounds...