Ivan Cleary recently provided insights on his controversial 2015 dismissal from the Penrith Panthers, attributing the decision to Phil Gould’s belief that he looked “tired” and lacked the drive to lead the team forward. Cleary, who was originally appointed in 2012, had guided the Panthers to within a game of the Grand Final by 2014. Despite a challenging 2015 season, during which the team struggled partly due to injuries, Cleary was surprised by his dismissal, particularly since Gould had previously expressed public support for him just months prior.
Gould, serving as Penrith’s general manager at the time, felt Cleary needed time away from coaching to recharge. This decision was made despite Cleary’s ambition to continue developing the team through a long-term strategy. In contrast, Gould reportedly pushed for a quicker turnaround in performance, resulting in a clash of visions. Brian Fletcher, the Panthers CEO, later clarified that Cleary’s removal was not a club decision but was instead a personal call by Gould.
This rift created a strained dynamic between the two, and Cleary eventually returned to Penrith in 2019. Under his renewed leadership, the Panthers achieved considerable success, including multiple Grand Final appearances and Premiership wins. Gould, however, recently denied any ongoing issues between him and Cleary, emphasizing that their focus remains on the club’s best interests as both have since moved forward.
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