A defiant Mal Meninga has hit back at reports that Perth Bears chief executive Anthony de Ceglie has three months to save his job after internal forces at the club tried to remove him.
News Corp reported on Tuesday evening that the former media executive was out of favour with the club’s board who were seeking to relieve him of his duties.
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Their report stated the board agreed that he should be sacked only for ARL Commission executive chair Peter V’landys to intervene.
The NRL owns the Bears and under the club’s constitution the ARLC, and not the Perth board, is responsible for appointments like the CEO, head coach and head of football.
Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie speaks to the media alongside ARL Executive Chair Peter V’landys during the Perth Bears NRL jersey launch at WACA on August 07, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Meninga, speaking exclusively to Foxsports.com.au on Wednesday afternoon, addressed the saga.
“I don’t know what it is. It’s been an ongoing battle, it’s him and I around who’s going to get sacked next,” Meninga said.
“I just forget about it now and I don’t even read the papers anymore, honestly. I just get on with the job.
“I know I’ve got great support and Anthony has got great support, internally, so we just get on with our business.
“We can only control what we control and that’s the internal things. We don’t want to fight any external battles.”
The nine-person Bears board features former federal treasurer Joe Hockey, Nine Network presenter James Bracey, WA businessman Peter Cumins and is chaired by Ben Morton.
It’s not the first time Meninga has had to address behind-the-scenes dramas at the club including a frosty relationship with assistant coach Ben Gardiner.
One of Meninga’s closest allies, Bears head of football David Sharpe, walked away from the club in April as rumours swirled that he and de Ceglie had a falling out.
Bears Inaugural Head Coach Mal Meninga speaks to the media during the Perth Bears NRL jersey launch at WACA on August 07, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Meninga has also had his commitment to the new franchise questioned on many occasions with critics predicting he won’t see out his two-year contract.
Some have even suggested he won’t be the coach come Round 1 in 2027.
“I expect it. That’s the way of the world, you’ve got the good guys and bad guys. They all have a job to do,” Meninga said.
“Someone takes the mantle of the bad guy and they try and put as much out there, not so much to hurt people, but to be negative.”
De Ceglie has been the Bears chief executive since May last year after years in the media where he was director of news and current affairs at Seven West Media and was also the former editor-in-chief of The West Australian newspaper.
The Bears are just weeks away from their first pre-season and are still looking for a marquee signing.