Ivan Cleary’s return to Penrith is complete after the NRL club confirmed his appointment as head coach on a five-year deal in a move which should all but end the NRL’s coaching merry-go-round.
The deal for the former Tigers and Warriors coach will see him join play-making son Nathan at the Panthers after Ivan secured a release from the final two years of his contract at the Wests Tigers.
Having only joined the Tigers in 2017 after being shown the door at the foot of the mountains, the move back to the club comes as a surprising one, but it will allow him the chance to coach his son.
The contract will line up with the end of Nathan’s contract, after the exciting half also re-signed with the club earlier this year.
Ivan said in a statement that he has unfinished business at the club.
“Personally I had a feeling of unfinished business with a club and a community that my family and I enjoy a strong connection with, from grassroots through to NRL players, staff and management,” Cleary said in a statement.
The move brings to an end the NRL’s shipment of coaching changes over the off-season just weeks away from the start of pre-season training for most clubs.
By the time it’s all said and done, Des Hasler has replaced Trent Barrett at the Sea Eagles, Cleary has replaced Cameron Ciraldo at the Panthers, Michael Maguire has replaced Cleary at the Tigers and the chance of Anthony Seibold and Wayne Bennett doing a swap for 2019 is still up in the air after the duo signed contracts with the Broncos and Rabbitohs respectively from 2020 onwards.
With AAP
Muzz
Guest
Does this occur in other codes? We are so blessed.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Is that like being a Hooker who represented at State level and for Australia, being humiliated and put back into reserve grade and then being told to leave....and then returning?
Big Daddy
Guest
As a sideline with Wests it looks as though Balmain league's has finally gone into administration and money is still owed to NRL which could affect ownership of joint venture which means Wests ashfield take another 25% of ownership.
Big Daddy
Guest
If father and son had any sense it would be written into a contract if either left or was sacked both would go.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Sorry Jeffrey, of course there were some who weren't keen on Cleary, but the majority I saw on social media were singing his praises. I understand though - I hate being grouped in sometimes with other supporters on topics I don't agree with. Both parties have come out of it quite well - I really don't know what to expect with Cleary and I am really not sure how Penrith will go next year because of it. They have a top-four quality roster but could just as easily crumble if this Cleary reunion doesn't go as planned.
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
"He didn’t say all Tigers supporters." Perhaps I have a thin skin on the subject given that I support the Tigers and am a member. The point is, he didn't say "some" Tiger supporters. "Tiger fans" implies supporters generally, which irritates me because I would say that, to the best of my knowledge, there were more fans either undecided or opposed to the idea outright. I was certainly not in favour. While we have many holes in our roster, half back is not one of them. I agree that we have come out of this quite well. Not so sure about the Panthers - appointing a coach that you sacked three years ago, for a five year term is pretty bizarre.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He didn’t say all Tigers supporters. But there were a fair few so it is pretty funny. I wouldn’t let it get to you anyway Jeff...you guys have done pretty well out of this. I think Cleary has question marks over him as a coach. I don’t think Maguire is the greatest coach in the world but he feels like a really good fit for you blokes at the moment.
Lachy
Guest
Cleary obviously has no self respect. Why would you go back to where you were sacked? It's like being dumped by a woman, who sees another man for a few years, then wants you back because she likes having your kid around
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
"Tigers fans in March salivating over the thought of Nathan and Ivan together at the club." Did you do a poll Andrew ? All Tiger supporters salivating ? I can't be precise about the break down, but I do know that many Tiger supporters preferred to keep Brooks. Not only is he a junior, but he is regarded as a better value for money proposition than NC. So stop generalising. Hyperbole such as this makes me think you have an agenda.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Gould won't be sacking Ivan unless he wants to get rid of Nathan as well. At 20 years of age is Nathan Cleary the only player in the NRL with the power to dictate who his clubs coach is? What other player could directly or indirectly hold a club to ransom and tell management to sign a specific coach?
db
Guest
Next year, Penrith will still be paying Griffin. They will be paying Cleary as well as a large portion of Maquire's salary at the Tigers. You wouldn't want Phil Gould to be your financial advisor.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Um Scott, Seibold hasn't signed yet
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Tigers fans in March salivating over the thought of Nathan and Ivan together at the club. Tigers fans in October after Nathan re-signs and Ivan leaves - "Nathan is overrated and Ivan was average." Love it.
Stu
Guest
Tigers signed Maguire - Cleary left as a result. He has more class than most.
Nat
Roar Guru
Why is Seibold paired with Cleary? As of right now he is seeing out his contract and never told anyone else otherwise.
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder what happens if/when Ivan coaches the Penrith team out of finals contention? No doubt Gould will give him the bullet again but if Nathan's playing up to expectations, do we have this same rubbish happening again, with Ivan taking Nathan with him?
JN
Roar Rookie
Cleary and Seibold have no class whatsoever, as well as Gould-who for his own club and the tigers seems to be a pain in the ass
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Gus sacked Ivan because "he looked tired" & did the same to Griffin because "he wasn't getting the message through to the dressing room". Hope Gus has a comfy bed & an amplifier available when Nathan's dad arrives. Gus also said earlier this year "if Nathan wants to leave to link up with his Dad,he would go with Penrith's blessings". Was Gould a politician in a previous life?
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Tigers fans will get on the bus while Cleary takes an uber to Penrith.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Tigers got the best result.