Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary is set to walk away from the club at the conclusion of the 2027 NRL season. The master coach and the club called a snap press conference on Wednesday afternoon, where Cleary will confirm his plans for the future. He will honour the final year of his current contract before pursuing other opportunities.
Cleary's Future Plans
It remains unclear whether Cleary will remain within the NRL or seek opportunities elsewhere. The Panthers are currently flying at the top of the ladder with just one loss from 10 matches this season. Cleary's superstar son, Nathan Cleary, is also out of contract at the end of 2027. The pair both signed blockbuster five-year deals with the club at the end of the 2022 season. Nathan will be free to test the market from November 1, where he is expected to field some of the biggest contract offers in NRL history.
Coaching Career Highlights
Cleary began his coaching career at the New Zealand Warriors in 2006, leading the club to the grand final in his final year in charge in 2011. He then joined Penrith, where he led them to a preliminary final in 2014 before narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon the following season. After a two-year stint at the Wests Tigers, Cleary returned to the Panthers at the end of 2018 for his second and most successful period at the club.
Following a loss to the Melbourne Storm in the 2020 grand final, Cleary orchestrated an extraordinary turnaround, guiding the Panthers to four consecutive premierships. This remarkable achievement has cemented his status as one of the greatest coaches in NRL history.
More details are expected to emerge as the press conference unfolds.
