Ivan Cleary was fired by Phil Gould in 2015, according to Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher, rather than the club making the decision.
Prior to Sunday’s Panthers vs. Brisbane Broncos grand final, the team’s executive coach made a brief but significant statement on Cleary’s exit eight years prior.
The comment coincides with a reported conflict between Gould and Cleary.
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Ivan Cleary “wasn’t actually sacked by the club,” according to the Panthers CEO.
Late in 2015, with Penrith just missing out on the wooden spoon, Cleary was fired as head coach.
At the time, Gould was the general manager of Penrith, a position he still has with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Their CEO has since asserted that Gould made the decision to fire Cleary, not the club.
“The club didn’t really fire him,” Fletcher said to Hughesy, Ed, and Erin on 2DAY FM.
“He was sacked by Phil Gould.”
The next season, Cleary was replaced by Anthony Griffin; however, Griffin’s four-year contract was only completed.
In 2019, Cleary was brought back to lead the Panthers, and he guided them to a 10th-place result.
The team has dominated the NRL ever since, participating in three straight grand finals and taking home two championships.
Fletcher gave a straightforward response when host Erin Molan questioned him about if firing Cleary in 2015 was the right move.
“Well, it appears that Following Brad Fittler’s departure as NSW Blues coach on Thursday, Gould was said to be returning to the State of Origin coaching fold as an advisor or assistant.
A perceived rivalry between Gould and Cleary, who rejoined the Panthers after the former head of football was fired by the organization, could be a barrier to Gould’s comeback.
The 65-year-old dismissed any criticism of the current Penrith coach in an interview with Six Tackles With Gus.
“Fittler ought to have a modern coach, is one of the things I did mention to him.
“Having a current coach, even for a single game, is highly beneficial – especially in the coaches’ box, as Brad Fittler coaches three games a year.
“He’s not used to interchanges, dealing with head bins, injuries, and Ivan popped in for the last game.”
During the last game of the current season, Cleary and Fittler were seated in the box, which prevented the Blues from losing the series to the Maroons handily.
