Former Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is reportedly in the NRL club’s sights to make a shock return to the Panthers following the axing of Anthony Griffin.
Despite still being in contention to make the top four, Griffin was sensationally shown the door on Monday, Panthers boss Phil Gould citing the departing coach’s loss of the dressing room for his demise.
News Corp Australia reported on Monday night that Cleary was in line to return, having also been sacked by the Panthers back in 2015.
It is thought the sweetener of likely being able to keep Cleary’s son – prized halfback Nathan – at the Panthers is at least a part of the reason for the approach.
Gould confirmed to the Nine Network that the club had approached a specific individual.
“We do have someone in mind and we’re still waiting on an answer on that,” he said.
Ivan Cleary has two years left on his deal at Wests Tigers and would need to get an early release to return to the Panthers.
He has spoken previously about his strong desire to work again with his State of Origin playing son.
News Corp Australia reported that if a Cleary deal fell through that they would look at former South Sydney premiership-winning coach, Michael Maguire.
Maguire is currently coaching the New Zealand national team but has spoken about a desire to return to the NRL at some stage.
The findings of a recent management review at the Panthers appeared to be Griffin’s ultimate undoing, the key takeaway being he didn’t have the support of the players.
Gould said that reasonable results – the Panthers are currently fifth on the ladder – had masked deeper problems at the club and with Griffin.
“Head coaching is a very difficult job. I think that head coaches today have to rely heavily on their staff, heavily on the opinions of others and to have a more collaborative and communicative relationship with those that are there to assist,” Gould said.
“Anthony was a little old school in that he liked to do everything himself. But I think that he took to much of it on himself, too much pressure and at times that just led to some poor results.”
Assistant Cameron Ciraldo will be the Panthers’ caretaker coach for the remainder of the season.
Donna
Guest
Sack Gould Channel 9. He's the reason people aren't attending football games. Footy show on Thursday night sucks. Its about time fresh blood was brought in but also bring back Qlds favourite son. Paul "the fatman" Vautin for some humour. It is boring and unprofessional and quite frankly not worth watching. Last logie you will ever see!
DanWain
Guest
You do realise that Gould doesn't read the comments... probably not actually, carry on.
Jack
Guest
Again Gould Did you notice the pathetic crowd numbers on the weekend Roosters/Storm probably less than 10000 pin up game. You hate Qld but at least the Broncos pull crowds of 25000 plus. It's keeping your cushy TV job going, Hey Gus? By the way your biased commentary at SOO time didn't go unnoticed! THAT'S A PENALTY TRY repeat THAT'S A PENALTY TRY repeat THAT'S A PENALTY TRY Get the idea Gusto!!!
Chui
Guest
Hi Jack, Rational thought just called to say how much it misses you
Jack
Guest
Gould hates Qld and Griffin is a Qlder. Gould recruits/buys players to win a premiership and buys the wrong ones and Griffin gets sacked. When are boards going to realize Gould is the problem and not the saviour. Good riddance Penrith you are the most hated club by ALL QLDERS and that is because of GOULD. Toxic situation created by GOULD. They are never going to beat Rabbitohs/Roosters or Storm anyway. Nobody cares about Penrith going forward, as Gould puts it. With clubhopping Maloney and him. Ivan stay at Tigers because Gould can always get his bro Fittler or bro/bro Sonny code hopping Bill Williams. Bloody sickening!!!
Jack
Guest
This is typical Gould! He hates everything Qld and now includes the Qlder Anthony Griffin. Don't worry Hook. You'll get another job. I hope soon people realize Gould is well past his use by date. This has given all Qlders another reason to win next years SOO series. Yes Gus you hate QLD but let me tell you, the feeling is ABSOLUTELY MUTUAL. You and Maloney, peas in a pod. No Penrith won't beat Roosters or Rabbitohs or probably the Storm and you know why Gould, it's because you are at Penrith and not Anthony Griffin! AMEN!
Wayne Turner
Guest
Aka do what Gould says or else.
John
Guest
Well played Cleary's. What a way to ensure Ivan get's a salary boost as well.
catcat
Roar Rookie
“Head coaching is a very difficult job. I think that head coaches today have to rely heavily on their staff, heavily on the opinions of others and to have a more collaborative and communicative relationship with those that are there to assist,” Gould said. I wonder whose opinion he wasn't listening too....
Wayne Turner
Guest
Indeed. Gould should be sacked.
Wayne Turner
Guest
If I was Wests Tigers I would ONLY let Ivan go early with the following conditions:- *Penrith also get Josh Reynolds and Chris McQueen. *Wests Tigers get Trent Merrin, and Jarome Luai or Tyrone May.
Mike L
Guest
I think its unlikely, but if Ivan Cleary was to return to coach the Panthers it would be Gould who loses all credibility. Gould was the one who sacked Cleary in 2015, Gould was the one who hired Griffin (without interviewing anyone else). If Cleary was re hired, does that not show that Gould has no clue?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
How is Cleary a top 3 or 4 current coach? By the end of the year he will have coached 295 games and not come close to winning a comp (only Brian Smith and Graham Murray coached more games with no NRL premierships but both made multiple Grand Finals in Australia and the UK). Meanwhile in 2017 his team have scored fewer points than any other team in the competition. So I don't understand how he would be considered a top coach in this league? The problem (for both the Tigers and Panthers) is they both want Nathan as halfback (understandably) but it will come at a cost of having to have Ivan as coach. Nathan would be seen as a 10 year investment but his dad won't be a 10 year coach - his track record confirms that. So it is a conundrum.
Philip Sinclair
Guest
If Cleary returns to Penrith he will lose all credibility.
Curaeus
Guest
Tigers should tell Penrith and Gould to go see a taxidermist.
Paul
Roar Guru
If I was the Tigers Board, I'd tell Penrith to go swim for it. They had Cleary as coach and ditched him. He's done terrific things with the Tigers and still has 2 years to go on his contract. There's no way I'd be letting him go, because the TIGERS then have to find an equivalent calibre coach and they're not exactly plentiful on the ground. Gould and co have dug a very deep hole for themselves and want the Tigers to bail them out by giving up one of the top 3 of 4 current coaches. It's almost laughable, if true.