BREAKING NEWS: Penrith panthers head coach Ivan Cleary  has spoken out about the ongoing drama involving him and his players………see more……

In an exclusive interview with *The Sydney Morning Herald*, Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has broken his silence about the ongoing internal drama involving him and a number of players at the club. The situation, which has been the subject of media speculation for weeks, has sent shockwaves through the rugby league community, raising questions about the future of the Panthers’ roster and the leadership of one of the NRL’s most successful coaches.

Cleary, who has led Penrith to three consecutive NRL Grand Finals (2021-2023), including back-to-back premierships in 2021 and 2022, was initially tight-lipped about the internal issues but agreed to sit down for an in-depth discussion following persistent rumors that have cast a shadow over the club’s performance and morale.

### The Rumors and Speculation

For several weeks, reports have surfaced claiming tension between Cleary and certain high-profile players, leading to speculation about possible rifts in the dressing room. Although Cleary has long been regarded as one of the NRL’s most respected and successful coaches, the recent on-field performances of the Panthers have raised eyebrows. After dominating the competition in recent years, their form has been inconsistent, and some have pointed to what could be internal discord as a contributing factor.

The specific issues remain largely unconfirmed, but whispers from inside the club have suggested disagreements over player roles, management styles, and training methods. Some reports even mentioned that key senior players were unhappy with the coach’s approach to team selection and tactical decisions, particularly in big games.

As the situation unfolded, the media’s focus shifted to the growing sense of dissatisfaction within the camp. Yet, until now, Cleary had largely remained quiet on the matter.

### Ivan Cleary’s Statement

Speaking candidly during the interview, Cleary acknowledged that the team had been experiencing some “challenges” behind the scenes. He emphasized that these issues were not unusual for a club of Penrith’s stature, given their recent success and high expectations. Cleary also sought to clarify any misunderstandings regarding the so-called “rift” between him and certain players.

“I think there’s a bit of misconception about what’s been going on,” Cleary said, looking reflective but calm. “Yes, we’ve had a few challenges, but that’s to be expected. Any time you have success, there are going to be challenges. Expectations rise, egos grow, and sometimes players don’t always see things the same way as the coach or management. It’s natural.”

Cleary made it clear that the issues at Penrith were being handled internally, and he stressed the importance of maintaining a professional approach despite the challenges.

“I’m not here to pretend everything’s perfect, but we’re dealing with it. We’re a family, and sometimes families have disagreements. That doesn’t mean we’re falling apart. It means we’re growing. There’s a lot of respect in that locker room for each other, and we’ve been through a lot together. I know it’s been tough for the media to report on, but the team is resilient. We’ll get through this like we always have.”

### Tension and Disagreements

When pressed about the specific issues at play, Cleary was reluctant to name individuals or dive too deeply into the specifics, but he did mention that disagreements had surfaced around some of the team’s tactics and game plans, particularly regarding the approach to big finals matches.

“We’ve got a group of incredibly talented players, and sometimes that leads to differences of opinion,” Cleary explained. “I have no issue with that. In fact, I encourage it. Healthy debate and a bit of pushback is what makes the team stronger. But there’s a line, and that line is professionalism. We can disagree on tactics or roles, but at the end of the day, we all share the same goal: winning.”

Cleary also touched on his approach to leadership, admitting that sometimes it can be difficult to balance the roles of coach, mentor, and manager. The 53-year-old is a father figure not just to his own children but to many of the young players at Penrith, some of whom he has coached since they were teenagers.

“I think one of the hardest parts of my job is knowing when to push and when to back off,” Cleary said. “Some players respond better to certain approaches than others. Some like a more hands-on coach, others like to be given more freedom. It’s about finding that balance. Sometimes I get it wrong, and when I do, I take responsibility for that. But it’s always done with the best interests of the team in mind.”

### The Role of Senior Players

When asked about reports that senior players had voiced their concerns directly to him, Cleary acknowledged that discussions had taken place but stressed that these conversations were not as dramatic as some media outlets had suggested.

“Look, we’ve had conversations. As a coach, that’s my job. I have to communicate with my players, particularly the senior ones, because they’re the ones who help set the tone for the rest of the squad. If there are issues, I want to know about them. I want to address them early before they become bigger problems. I think we’ve done that.”

Despite the challenges, Cleary remained confident that the senior players—such as Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, and James Fisher-Harris—were fully committed to the club and the team’s success. He also reaffirmed his faith in their leadership.

“Guys like Nathan, Jerome, and Fish are the backbone of this team. They’ve been through a lot, and they know what it takes to win. There’s no doubt in my mind that they are fully invested in the club, and in the direction we’re heading. They may not always agree with every decision I make, but we always have those conversations in a constructive way, and that’s what matters.”

### Looking Forward: The Future of the Panthers

With the NRL finals fast approaching and the Panthers still in contention for another premiership, Cleary remains focused on ensuring that the team’s internal issues do not derail their chances. Despite the distractions, the club’s core players have shown glimpses of their championship pedigree, and Cleary is hopeful that the team can hit its stride at the right time.

“There’s no doubt that we’ve got a lot of talent in this team,” Cleary said. “But talent alone doesn’t win championships. We need to be firing on all cylinders, and that means dealing with the issues that we have internally and ensuring we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Cleary also hinted at the possibility of some changes in the squad for the 2025 season, though he was careful not to elaborate too much on specific names or positions. With several key players set to come off contract, there has been speculation that Cleary may be forced to make tough decisions in order to address some of the team’s needs.

“I’m not going to go into specifics, but we’re always looking to improve,” Cleary said. “We’ve got some great young talent coming through the ranks, and we’ll continue to look at how we can strengthen the squad. But we’re not going to make knee-jerk decisions based on external pressure. We’ll do what’s best for the club long term.”

### Final Thoughts

As Cleary prepares his team for the business end of the season, one thing is clear: while the Penrith Panthers may be experiencing some internal challenges, the veteran coach remains committed to guiding the team through these turbulent times. His leadership has been a defining factor in the club’s success over the past few years, and it seems unlikely that he will be deterred by a few bumps in the road.

“This is a club that’s built on resilience and hard work,” Cleary said, his voice firm. “We’ve been through tough times before, and we’ll get through this too. We’ve got a strong squad, a great coaching staff, and a fantastic fan base. We’re going to keep pushing, keep fighting, and hopefully, we’ll come out the other side even stronger.”

For Penrith Panthers fans, the road ahead may not be as smooth as they hoped, but with Ivan Cleary at the helm, the club remains a formidable force in the NRL. The drama behind the scenes may have cast a shadow, but if anyone can navigate through it and lead the Panthers to glory once again, it’s the experienced and steadfast coach Ivan Cleary.

—

Stay tuned for further updates as the drama surrounding Ivan Cleary and the Penrith Panthers continues to unfold, with more to come as the NRL finals draw closer.