Ivan Cleary says he has unfinished business at Penrith after leaving the Wests Tigers mid-contract to sign a five-year NRL coaching deal with the Panthers.
A day after being released from the final two years of his contract at the Tigers, Cleary didn’t front the media on Monday but confirmed in a club press release his return.
Originally charged with beginning the Panthers’ rebuild in 2012, Cleary took Penrith to a preliminary final in 2014 but was sacked the following year by Panthers supremo Phil Gould.
Just six players remain from his last season, but Cleary will also unite with play-making son Nathan – making them the first such combination at the club since Martin and John Lang in 2004.
“I am honoured to be back as head coach of Panthers and very much look forward to being part of the future journey,” Cleary said.
“Personally I had a feeling of unfinished business with a club and a community that my family and I enjoy a strong connection with, from grassroots through to NRL players, staff and management.
“We have raised our family in the community for a number of years and are proud to call it home.”
The 47-year-old’s appointment brings to an end almost three months of speculation since Anthony Griffin was sacked just weeks out from the finals by the Panthers.
The decision to hop off the Tigers’ bus with half his contract remaining has angered the merged club’s fans, with club chief executive Justin Pascoe admitting to AAP on Sunday supporters had a right to be annoyed.
But Cleary also thanked the Tigers for their part in the process, after it’s believed a deal was struck between the joint-venture and Penrith for his release.
“I am very fond of Wests Tigers and all its people,” Cleary said.
“I enjoyed my time there and it is a club heading in the right direction.
“I would like to thank Justin Pascoe and Marina Go for their professionalism throughout.”
Cleary’s tenure will take him past Royce Simmons’ mark of 171 games as the most-capped Panthers coach of all time if he stays the distance, having already led the club 98 times.
It’s also understood Gould had little to no involvement in his return, which was instead orchestrated by chairman David O’Neill with the pair having remained close.
But the pressure is now on Cleary to deliver.
“The talent and depth in our playing squad means our club is well-placed to push for a premiership and we believe Ivan is the coach to take us there,” CEO Brian Fletcher said.
Caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo will stay on as an assistant after he replaced Griffin earlier this year, while Peter Wallace will also retain his spot beside him.
The deal leaves Anthony Seibold and Brisbane as the last piece of the NRL’s coaching carousel to be completed as early as Tuesday night.
IVAN CLEARY’S NRL COACHING RECORD
WARRIORS (2006-2011)
Matches: 154
Win rate: 50 per cent
Finals series: 4
Grand finals 1 (2011)
Premierships: 0
PENRITH (2012-2015)
Matches: 98
Win rate: 44.9 per cent
Finals series: 1
Grand finals: 0
Premierships: 0
WESTS TIGERS (2017-2018)
Matches: 43
Win rate: 41.9 per cent
Finals series: 0
Grand finals: 0
Premierships: 0
OVERALL:
Matches: 295
Win rate: 47.1 per cent.