NRL rumour mill to reach its peak with four clubs set to name new head coaches
AFTER months of fevered speculation, the NRL’s complicated coaching merry-go-round could be finalised within five days as four clubs potentially name new coaches.
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ON WEDNESDAY night, Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe returned from an overseas business trip which is expected to expedite Ivan Cleary’s immediate release to Penrith.
The NRL’s complicated coaching merry-go-round could be finalised within five days as four clubs potentially name new coaches.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal:
* Pascoe returned from the US to reignite his chase for a new coach;
* Penrith privately hope Cleary could be free to join the club as early as Friday;
* Brisbane are expected to name their coach for the 2020 season by Tuesday; and
* South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold will return from a development trip to the UK next week.
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Pascoe continues to pursue Wayne Bennett as the club’s first choice with current New Zealand Test coach Michael Maguire another strong candidate.
It is unknown whether Pascoe has formally offered a contract to Bennett, who appears determined to complete his final season at Brisbane, despite that possibly affecting his chances of finding another club in 2020.
Despite Cleary still being contracted at the Tigers, The Daily Telegraph understands Pascoe is chasing a coach for next season — not 2020.
Cleary has already agreed to a deal at Penrith for three seasons from 2021 and, if a compensation package can be reached with the Tigers, could get their man two years early.
In the mean time, Penrith are prepared to put their faith in caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo, who is already preparing for his squad’s return to training on November 12.
Bennett has told friends he would prefer to join a club with deep resources like South Sydney, but could see out his Brisbane deal before offering himself to Parramatta or St George Illawarra when Brad Arthur and Paul McGregor come off contract.
Seibold, Maguire and Queensland coach Kevin Walters are candidates for the Broncos job when Bennett leaves.
Walters was interviewed last Tuesday but is believed to be the outsider for the position, which could be announced after this Tuesday’s Broncos board meeting.
Seibold, still under contract at Redfern next season, remains favourite for the Red Hill position as he holds off on a contract extension at South Sydney.
The question remains whether Souths would keep Seibold next season if he committed to Brisbane in 2020.
Should Seibold leave, Bennett and Melbourne assistant coach Adam O’Brien have been mentioned.
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