Ivan Cleary set to quit Wests Tigers to rejoin Penrith Panthers on a three-year deal
IT’S a done deal. Ivan Cleary is set to rejoin Penrith Panthers on a three-year deal — even though he is still contracted to coach Wests Tigers for the next two years.
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IVAN Cleary is going back to Penrith.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Wests Tigers coach has agreed to rejoin former club the Panthers on a three-year deal from 2021.
While still contracted to the Tigers for the next two seasons, Cleary’s decision will intensify speculation the Panthers will try and get the 47-year-old to the foot of the mountains before next season.
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It’s a swift blow from the Panthers, who last week announced Ivan’s son Nathan Cleary had re-signed with the club on a new five-year deal.
The revelation comes a day after Tigers great Steve Roach implored his club to go after unwanted Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett to replace Cleary.
It is unknown whether Cleary has formally told Tigers management of his decision to quit the club after the 2020 season.
Cleary’s future has been uncertain since it was revealed two months ago that he had been involved with high-level conversations with Panthers chairman Dave O’Neill about a dramatic return to Penrith.
Panthers general manager of football Phil Gould gave Cleary his marching orders at the end of the 2015 season, claiming the coach was tired and needed a break.
It is understood the relationship between the pair is cordial but not overly warm.
If the Tigers are able to negotiate a compensation package from the Panthers — either through a financial payout or player transfer — to release Cleary early, it would relegate highly touted caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo to assistant duties, despite guiding the Panthers to the second week of the NRL finals.
One well-placed source close to Penrith told The Daily Telegraph: “The club and Ivan’s management have formally agreed to terms for ’21, ’22 and ’23.
“It will now be interesting to see what transpires over the next two years of his contract at Wests Tigers.
“There is still a chance Ivan will at Penrith next season. Would you want him at your club if he has signed somewhere else? That’s the reality. Penrith isn’t in any hurry. Cameron is organising things as we go.”
Should Cleary leave immediately, the Tigers could start an official pursuit of disgruntled Brisbane coach Bennett, who has been told he will not be re-signed beyond next season.
Former South Sydney premiership-winning coach Michel Maguire has also been linked to the Tigers.
“Wests Tigers have Ivan contacted for the next two years. If circumstances were to change favourably for the club, and they’d have to be pretty favourable, the club’s board would probably consider a release for Ivan,” a source close to the Tigers said.
“If there was a compelling reason to look at an alternative coach then the club would look at it. Until then, Ivan has to coach at Wests Tigers and do a good job.”
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Originally published as Ivan Cleary set to quit Wests Tigers to rejoin Penrith Panthers on a three-year deal
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