Ivan speaks: Cleary confirms he will honour contract to coach Wests Tigers
WESTS Tigers coach Ivan Cleary has given his assurances that no deal has been done to move to the Panthers now or when his contract expires.
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WESTS Tigers coach Ivan Cleary has given his assurances that no deal has been done to move to the Panthers now or when his contract expires.
The Sunday Telegraph understands that Cleary has told the Tigers board he will fulfil his commitments with the club until at least the end of 2020 and that no agreement had been reached to join re-join the Panthers.
Now the Tigers could turn their attention to reuniting the Cleary’s at the Tigers after Ivan reaffirmed not only his commitment to the club but reinforced his intention to coach Nathan whose contract at Penrith expires at the end of next year.
“It is common knowledge that my son Nathan and I have acknowledged our desire to work together at some time,” Cleary said. “That remains the case.
“I have not received any offer from the Panthers, nor have I asked the Wests Tigers for a release. I am enjoying my contribution to the growth of this club.
“I respect all of the people, and supporters involved with this club, and I intend to honour this contract.”
A nervous Cleary read a prepared statement ending his silence on the issue he has been dragged into following Anthony Griffin’s sacking on Monday. He failed to answer any questions related to his future.
Cleary has been publicly linked as Griffin’s replacement by Panthers officials.
Penrith’s head of football Phil Gould said it was an “innocent” conversation between Cleary and Panthers’ chairman Dave O’Neill which sparked what would become a media storm
“Ivan was keen to go and talk to the Wests Tigers about his long-term future, with a view towards one day returning to the Panthers … one day returning to the Panthers,” Gould said in his Six Tackles with Gus Podcast.
Cleary said he was shocked by Penrith’s interest.
“When I was approached by the Panthers, initially I had no idea that it was about coaching at the club,” Cleary said. “I was told at that meeting that the club were looking at the future of the head coach position.
“I advised the Panthers of my ongoing contract statues with the Wests Tigers. I subsequently advised the chair and CEO of the Wests Tigers of the discussions I had with the Panthers. I was as surprised as anyone on the announcement of the dismissal of Anthony Griffin.”
Cleary’s Tigers play Canberra today needing a win to keep their slim finals chances alive.
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