Ivan Cleary has ruled out coaching another NRL club, after shocking fans by announcing he would leave Penrith after an incredible run of success.
Cleary on Wednesday said he would leave the club at the end of the 2027 season, saying he “feels really strongly” it’s the right time to step down.
Cleary said he had “no interest” in coaching another NRL club but said he had started thinking about representative footy.
“It’s definitely something I’ve started thinking about the last 12 months which I never have before,” Cleary said.
“It’s something that I would consider if someone thought me worthy of that.
“I feel like it’s definitely the right thing for me and my family. It’s a decision that obviously I haven’t taken lightly but I have thought about for quite a long time.”
Assistant coach Peter Wallace will take over from Cleary from 2028 onwards, club chairman Peter Graham announced on Wednesday.
The champion coach’s departure also raises questions on the future of his superstar son Nathan.
Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron said the PNG Chiefs’ signing of former Penrith premiership player Jarome Luai on a massive tax-free deal had “amplified” talk of other out of contract players.
Panthers players Paul Alamoti, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Brain To’o, Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary among others are all off contract at the end of 2027.
Cameron said Nathan was not interested in conversations surrounding his future at this time, wanting to focus on the upcoming State of Origin series against Queensland instead.
Ivan Cleary has steered the club to four consecutive NRL premierships, from 2021 to 2024 and a grand final appearance in 2020.
Ivan and Nathan signed five-year deals in 2022 to both remain at Penrith, in deal reportedly worth around $10m.
Cameron said in February the club would do all it can to retain the father-son duo.
Originally published as Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will leave the Panthers in a bombshell move