Expert
Penrith Panthers general manager Phil Gould will reportedly exit the club this week.
Reports suggest Gould, who took up his current role with the Panthers in 2011, is yet to resign from the position, however, it’s understood the news will be made official by the end of the week.
Channel Nine NRL reporter Danny Weidler, who talked to Panthers CEO Bryan Fletcher, first tweeted that Gould hadn’t quit the job, but then followed it up by saying a board meeting tomorrow would likely lead to Gus’s exit.
Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher on Phil Gould: “Gus has not quit. He is still employed by the Panthers as of today.” Not the strongest denial I’ve heard. @9NewsSyd
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) April 23, 2019
Phil Gould update. I just talked to Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher. He said: “I’ve talked to Gus. He feels his position is now redundant and the club is in good hands with Ivan Cleary as coach. I’ll be taking his position to the board tomorrow.” @9NewsSyd
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) April 23, 2019
NRL.com have also reported Gould’s future will be discussed at a board meeting tomorrow, while it’s also been reported that Panthers staff were informed of the news on Tuesday.
Speculation suggests Gould met with the Fletcher and other members of the club on Tuesday to inform them of his decision to step down from his role as general manager, which has brought with it widespread criticism.
The Penrith supremo has been involved in the Ivan Cleary debacle, which first saw him sacked in 2015, then re-signed by the club in 2019 to coach son Nathan and the team.
The Panthers have had limited success during the reign of Gould, who promised big things when he first arrived in the now infamous five-year plan.
In his eight completed seasons, the club have had just four finals appearances, with just one trip to the preliminary finals.
Gould however, will be credited with the Panthers academy and a rapidly-increasing junior base of players, with the sport improving at grassroots level in the district since Gould’s arrival.