Wayne Bennett would have coached Penrith for two seasons before handing over the coaching reins to Ivan Cleary in 2021 under Panthers supremo Phil ‘Gus’ Gould’s masterplan, according to reports.
In a bombshell development last week, it was revealed Gould brokered a handshake deal with longtime rival Bennett to coach the Panthers starting this season.
Instead, the Penrith board overruled Gould and signed Cleary to a five-year deal.
Gould had previously borne the brunt of criticism from Panthers fans and NRL pundits over the decision to sack Anthony Griffin and bring Cleary back to the club for a second stint.
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The revelation Gus didn’t appoint Cleary, who was fired by Gould in 2015, led to fresh speculation of a feud between the pair.
Both men this week denied those claims but it has been widely reported Gould, who is reportedly considering quitting the club, no longer wields the same influence out west.
But according to Fairfax Media and Channel 9 reporter Danny Weidler, Gould was on board with Cleary’s return from 2021, at the completion of his Wests Tigers contract.
As it turned out the Panthers board had already agreed to a controversial plan to sign Cleary, despite the fact he had two years left on his Tigers contract.
Weidler also reports Gould was not responsible for the timing of Griffin’s firing and wanted to keep the former coach on until the end of the 2018 campaign
But again he was overruled by the Panthers board.
Gould, a longtime Sutherland Shire resident, was this week linked with a possible move to Cronulla as their new general manager of football.
The 60-year-old has no interest in the Sharks job but his future at the Panthers remains under a dark cloud.
