"I feel like it's definitely the right thing for me, my family and also the club."
Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has announced he will not extend his contract beyond the 2027 NRL season. Assistant coach Peter Wallace will succeed him as head coach from the 2028 season. Cleary, 55, made the announcement at a press conference at Panthers headquarters on Wednesday afternoon, stating he had considered the decision over the past 12 to 24 months.
Coaching Transition
Cleary's Departure
Cleary will remain as head coach for the remainder of his current contract, which has 18 months remaining. He stated he will not coach another NRL club after leaving Penrith but expressed interest in pursuing a representative coaching role or a coaching director position. The club has offered Cleary an advisory role focusing on leadership and culture after 2027, though he has not yet decided whether to accept.
In his announcement, Cleary cited personal reasons, including family considerations and the desire to explore other opportunities.
Wallace's Appointment
Peter Wallace, 40, will become head coach in 2028 on a three-year deal. Wallace is currently the team's defence coach. He played for the Panthers and Brisbane Broncos during his NRL career, retiring in 2018 due to injury, and joined Penrith's coaching staff immediately after retirement. He later coached the Panthers' NSW Cup side to a premiership in 2022 and became NRL defence coach in 2023.
Panthers CEO Matt Cameron reported a positive reaction from players to Wallace's appointment. Wayne Bennett, who coached Wallace at Brisbane, expressed support for the appointment. Wallace and Cleary share a focus on calmness, earning player respect and trust, and a strong defensive approach.
Contract and Roster Implications
Player Contract Status
Several key Panthers players are off contract at the end of the 2027 season, including:
- Nathan Cleary (star halfback)
- Isaah Yeo
- Brian To'o
- Liam Martin
- Mitch Kenny
Nathan Cleary becomes eligible to negotiate with rival clubs from November 2026. Reports indicate the proposed PNG Chiefs team may offer Nathan Cleary $1.5 million per season tax-free, with potential third-party opportunities increasing total earnings to $3 million annually.
Player Responses
Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny stated that Cleary's departure will not influence his own contract decision. Kenny said: "My preference is to stay at Penrith. Right now, it is hard to imagine me playing for anyone else." Kenny is recovering from a fractured fibula and syndesmosis injury sustained in Round 7 and expects to return in 4-6 weeks.
Club Position
Panthers chair Peter Graham stated the club's goal is to retain all off-contract players. CEO Matt Cameron said the coaching transition could enhance the club's chances of re-signing Nathan Cleary. The club faces salary cap constraints that may affect its ability to retain all star players.
Background
Cleary's Career
Cleary has been involved in rugby league for over 30 years, playing 186 games from 1992 to 2002. He has coached the New Zealand Warriors (2006–2011), Penrith (2012–2015), Wests Tigers (2017–2018), and returned to Penrith in 2019.
Under Cleary, Penrith has won four consecutive NRL premierships (2021–2024), five NRL Grand Finals in six seasons, and were runners-up in 2020.
Wallace's Profile
Wallace played over a year with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) without surgery and played more than half an Origin game with a ruptured testicle, earning a reputation for high pain tolerance and toughness. He has been involved in recruitment and retention meetings at the club.