Andrew Johns has conceded Peter Wallace faces a tough task replacing Ivan Cleary as head coach at the Panthers, likening it to ‘following Don Bradman into bat’.
Cleary announced on Wednesday that he would be walking away from his wildly successful tenure with Penrith at the end of his current contract and would be replaced by highly-touted assistant Wallace in the top coaching job.
The bombshell was first revealed by 9News reporter Danny Weidler on Wednesday morning, hours before Cleary fronted the media alongside Penrith officials.
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Cleary, who has led the Panthers to four premierships and a grand final loss in the last six years, is contracted until the end of the 2027 season.
Reacting to the news, Johns said thought Cleary would remain at the helm until his son Nathan finished playing, while also admitting pressure would be on for Wallace.
“I think everyone was in shock – I thought he’d coach until Nathan retires and they would retire together,” the rugby league Immortal told 9News Sydney.
“It’s a brave decision but good luck to him. He’s climbed Everest four times, it’s hard to keep climbing Everest … he’s done everything.
“It’s a pretty big job for Peter Wallace – he’s following Bradman into bat.”
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Brad Fittler said that his ex-Roosters teammate ‘deserved to go out on his own terms’.
During his press conference announcing the decision, the 54-year-old explained why it was the right time to start looking forward for himself and Penrith, while also revealing he could remain at the club in another role beyond next season.
“It’s a decision that I obviously haven’t taken lightly, but I have thought about for quite a long time. It’s definitely the right thing for me, my family and also the club,” Cleary said.
“Part of being a coach and a leader, you kind of gain an intuition over many leaders and I feel really strongly that this is the right time for me to step aside.
“What am I gonna do? I’ve been a player and coach for 35 years. It’s more like a lifestyle than a job. I’m looking to branch out and use my skills, knowledge and experience in other areas and also free up a bit more flexibility in terms of lifestyle.
“Fortunately, the Panthers can’t get rid of me just yet. I’ve been offered a position to stay on in an advisory role through leadership and culture and I’m very humbled by that.
“I would have preferred not to have a press conference and have all you people come out, but I understand that this type of decision in my position has a lot of effect on a lot of people – players, staff, corporate partners, members, fans, anyone else who cares.
“It’s not a time for thank yous or reflections. I still have 18 months in the saddle. I’ve been holding this in for a bit. I love it here … so when the time comes, it will be a bit sad.”
Cleary was asked in his presser why now was the right time to make an announcement.
“Basically just to give everyone clarity moving forward and we’ve got a lot of players off-contract, which everyone knows,” he said.
“I got asked two years ago to consider an extension and that’s when I started thinking about it. This time last year, we weren’t going so well – it wasn’t gonna be good to announce it early or come forward. I wanted to make sure it was the right decision.
“It gives Peter a good lead into the job, particularly next year. I’ll be able to personally help him a lot and I’m passionate about trying to help a first-time coach.”
Cleary then shut down coaching one of Penrith’s rival teams in 2028 or beyond, but left the door ajar for a potential position with a representative team.
“I have no interest in coaching another NRL job – if someone thought I was worthy of a rep job, I would consider that,” he said.
The decision could have major ramifications on the playing roster.
The coach’s son and superstar halfback Nathan Cleary is also off-contract at the end of next season and has said he plans to test the open market.
The gun No.7, who is set to lead NSW’s Origin assault after the team for game one is picked on Sunday night, will be free to negotiate with rival NRL clubs if he does not sign an extension with the Panthers before November 1 this year.
But according to his father, the looming change in coach hasn’t changed the halfback’s stance on his playing future as links to the PNG Chiefs and Super League continue.
“He’s known for a while – I can’t remember the first time I told him,” coach Cleary said.
“He’s been pretty clear on where his future stands at the moment, which is pretty uncertain. He’s just concentrating on playing, which he’s doing a pretty good job of.
“This hasn’t made any difference.”
The news that Cleary is finishing up as coach next season would be a major domino from the dynasty to fall at a time when a long list of the club’s stars are coming off contract and the PNG Chiefs are starting to enter the market with offers of tax free salaries.
Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo admitted many of the Panthers’ premiership-winners who had sacrificed top dollar in the past would likely test their market value this off-season.
The list of Panthers players who come off contract at the end of next season includes Cleary, Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o, Mitch Kenny, Blaize Talagi, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papalii and Paul Alamoti.
But despite all the concerns swirling around about the future, chairman Peter Graham’s closing statement – directed towards the Panthers faithful – summed up the mindset.
“It’s the start of a new chapter – but it’s the same book,” he said.
