Shock decision seems aimed at setting up formidable Cleary combination Panthers dump Griffin
PENRITH have started secret internal discussions about luring Ivan Cleary back to the Panthers as head coach after they sacked Anthony Griffin yesterday.
The fifth- placed Panthers stunned the rugby league world by dumping Griffin just a month out from the NRL finals.
Even more shocking is the revelation of their preference to replace Griffin with Cleary, the man they sacked in 2015, in a move that would keep his son Nathan at the Panthers.
The Bulletin has been told Penrith’s management have spoken privately about wheth- ALEX de Minaur was unable to prevent Alexander Zverev from becoming the first man in nearly a decade to win consecutive titles at the Citi Open. Top seed Zverev hit six aces, topping 210km/ h and never faced a break point en route to a 6- 2 6- 4 final victory to clinch his ninth career ATP title and third of 2018.
“You really deserved it,” de Minaur told Zverev during the trophy ceremony. “Played too good today.” Zverev improved to 16- 2 for his career at Washington’s tune- up for the US Open, which commences in three weeks.
Juan Martin del Potro won the Washington event in 2008 and 2009. Germany’s Zverev is 21, and Australia’s de Minaur is 19, making for the youngest final on the ATP World Tour since 20- year- old Rafael Nadal beat 19- year- old Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells in 2007.
“I’m sure these kind of trophies will be in your hands very soon,” Zverev told de Minaur. Even though Sunday’s hard- court tournament finalists are close in age, Zverev held quite an advantage in size and experience.
He is 6- foot- 6, ranked No. 3 and one of only five active players with at least three Masters titles ( the others are Nadal, Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray).
De Minaur is 5- foot- 11, projected to be 45th, and yet to win a tour- level title. er Ivan Cleary would consider seeking an early release from the Wests Tigers.
Should he remain at Concord – he has two years remaining on his current deal – Penrith would look at former South Sydney premiershipwinning coach Michael Maguire.
Maguire has support at Penrith, as does Cameron Ciraldo, who was named caretaker coach yesterday with recently retired hooker Peter Wallace to assist him. Ciraldo’s chances of being named head coach would improve significantly should he drive Penrith deep into September.
Panthers halfback Cleary comes off contract after next season and wants to be coached by his father. Ivan stated publicly just last week he wanted to coach his son.
Luring Ivan back to Penrith would ensure Nathan signs a new five- year deal.
One obstacle, though, is that Penrith general manager Phil Gould sacked Ivan back in 2015, when he still had a season left on his deal.
While still hurt, Cleary has told friends he doesn’t harbour any long- term anger towards Gould and Penrith’s abundant resources would be attractive to the Tigers coach.
There is still plenty of work to be completed before Cleary would return to Penrith, given the Tigers could easily block any move for their coach.
The mouth- watering possibility of a Cleary combination would lead Penrith into a golden new era.
Penrith hierarchy also believe Maguire, 44, the current New Zealand Test coach, is ready for a return to the NRL after being axed from South Sydney last season.
Well- placed sources say Gould sought to assist Griffin as far back as January with the club’s attack – but Griffin resisted. Those close to the club claim “it had to come to a head”.
Insiders last night described the sacked coach as “old school” but a “control freak”, who struggled to assign duties to other members of the coaching staff.
Griffin walked out of the club yesterday with immediate effect, with Penrith claiming to be in “no rush” to name his replacement.
Gould and Griffin have “butted heads” for most of the season, according to Panthers insiders. Officially, Griffin and Penrith came to a mutual agreement.
Penrith’s board met yesterday and decided Griffin wasn’t the coach they wanted to move the club forward.
He still had two years remaining on his contract.