NSW coaching candidates dwindle as Panthers coach Ivan Cleary rules himself out of job

The NSW Blues’ coaching options are dwindling fast with Penrith premiership coach Ivan Cleary the latest big-name candidate to withdraw from the race. See the contenders to replace Michael Maguire.

An insatiable desire for a fifth successive premiership coupled with an intense season of travel is set to end the push for Ivan Cleary to become NSW State of Origin coach.

The Blues’ coaching options are dwindling each week.

Cleary - who has just won a fourth successive title as Panthers coach - will join Phil Gould, Ricky Stuart, Brad Fittler, Craig Bellamy, John Cartwright and Andrew Johns as possible coaches to withdraw their candidacy.

The pursuit started after one-year Blues coach Michael Maguire quit to join Brisbane Broncos.

NSWRL directors will accelerate the search at their next board meeting in late October and it’s hoped the new coach could be announced by late November or early December.

“Ivan is having success here and is creating history. He’s a chance of chasing more history so why would he muck that up? That’s the last thing he would want to do,” Panthers group chief executive Brian Fletcher.

“The biggest problem is that we’re playing away from home for the next two years. Plus we have to go to Vegas and take home games to Bathurst, Mudgee and Magic Round in Brisbane.

“We have a heavy schedule moving forward - we have a lot of travelling to do - so it would be highly unlikely that Ivan would make himself available.

Ivan Cleary has ruled himself out of coaching the Blues in 2025. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“Would he want to be in the predicament of having to pick Penrith players to play State of Origin? The answer is no.

“When you list these things, why would Ivan want that burden put on himself? It becomes nearly impossible. Ivan has never mentioned it to me and I have never mentioned it to Ivan.”

Board members privately acknowledge that NRL clubs will more than likely refuse to allow head coaches to seek the Blues’ top job.

The leading contenders are Laurie Daley, Danny Buderus, Josh Hannay, Dean Young, Michael Ennis, Paul McGregor, Trent Barrett, Matt King and Geoff Toovey. A left-field option could be Englishman, James Graham.

Some at NSWRL don’t believe NRL head coaches are aware of the intense workload thrown on an Origin coach.

“It’s a fallacy to just think it’s an eight-week-a-week appointment,” said a source.

In early October, Cleary received high-powered support to coach NSW from Gould, a former Blues coach, and ex-NSW forward Mark Geyer.

“The set up there (at Penrith) is pretty much plug-in and plug-out. I think if Ivan Cleary didn’t turn up to work for a week, the whole thing would keep functioning,” Gould said.

“I think it should be an aspiration and I don’t think he should have to retire from club coaching to be a representative coach, given his record.”

Geyer added: “I know when Brad Fittler and ‘Brandy’ (Greg Alexander) were coaching in Origin, they got Ivan in for a couple of games in the box. I think Ivan Cleary and Craig Bellamy would be fantastic for the NSW job.

“I don’t know how their clubs would feel about it but I know you have to pick the best man for the job.”

Cleary has only spoken briefly about being linked to NSW, claiming he had “no idea” if he could juggle dual roles.

Bellamy added: “I’ve committed myself to the Storm next year. They (NSW) are not going to have a coach who is coaching an NRL side (while) coaching Origin. I think they think that is too hard, and I think that as well.

“I have been there and done that (2008-2010). It’s too hard. It’s hard on your club when you’re in Origin, because everyone else has to do your work as well.

Andrew Johns has quickly denied coaching NSW, saying: “Not a chance in the world.”