Cleary keen to move into Test or Origin coaching role

Coach of the century Ivan Cleary has put World Cup nations and the NSWRL on notice after declaring his ambition to take charge of a representative team as his tenure at Penrith comes to an end.

Cleary, who guided the Panthers to four consecutive premierships in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, will step down from his role at the end of next season and said he had no ambition to coach another club team.

However, the former Kiwis assistant coach said he still wanted to coach and was keen to continue his career at representative level.

“It's time. I’m not getting any younger and I wanted to use the skills I have in different areas," Cleary said.

“I still love coaching, but I have plenty of time to scratch that itch.

“I have no interest in coaching another NRL club. If someone thought I was worthy of a rep job, I’d consider that.”

Cleary worked with Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney at the 2013 World Cup in the UK and France, and the 2014 Four Nations, which New Zealand won.

He was also a game day assistant to Brad Fittler with the NSW Blues in 2023. 

"It is definitely something that I have started thinking about the past 12 months, which I never had before," he said.

"Obviously when you are not an NRL coach that opens up those sort of doors so it is something I would consider if someone thought me worthy of that."

Cleary made the decision after being offered the opportunity to renew his current contract beyond the 2027 NRL season.

He will remain in charge of the Panthers for the remainder of the 2026 and 2027 NRL seasons and is set to stay involved with the club in an advisory role in areas such as culture and leadership.

“I’ve been a player or a coach for 35 years,” Cleary said. “It is more like a lifestyle than a job, so I’m definitely looking to branch out and use my skills, my knowledge and experience in other areas.

"It's a decision that I haven't taken lightly. I feel like it's definitely the right thing for me, my family and the club and this is the right time for me to step aside."

Following a 186-game first grade playing career with Manly, North Sydney and the Warriors, Cleary began his NRL coaching career with the New Zealand-based club in 2006.

He finished his six-year tenure by taking the Warriors to a grand final in 2011 against Manly and joined the Panthers in 2012 for his first stint as coach.

After two seasons with Wests Tigers, Cleary returned to Penrith in 2019 and has overseen the most successful period by any club in premiership history since South Sydney won four premierships in five seasons from 1967 to 1971.

The Panthers also appeared in five consecutive grand finals, losing to Melbourne Storm in 2020 before four years of domination from 2021 to 2024.

Only Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has overseen more premiership wins among the current coaching ranks - taking the Broncos to grand final glory in 1992, 1993, 1997 (Super League), 1998, 2000 and 2006, and St George Illawarra in 2010. 

Melbourne's Craig Bellamy (2012, 2017, 2020) and Sydney Roosters mentor Trent Robinson (2013, 2018, 2019) have won three premierships each.