Ivan Cleary’s journey in the NRL has been anything but linear. His coaching career, marked by its highs and lows, has always been underpinned by resilience, strategic thinking, and a passion for nurturing talent. After years of coaching the Penrith Panthers and leading them to back-to-back premierships, Cleary has made the decision to return to where his career began, re-signing with the Wests Tigers as head coach for the 2025 NRL season. This move marks an important chapter in both his career and the future of the Tigers, as Cleary embarks on a mission to turn the struggling club into a premiership contender.

The Early Years: Ivan Cleary’s First Stint with Wests Tigers
Before Cleary was known for turning the Panthers into a powerhouse of the NRL, he had his first major coaching experience at the Wests Tigers. Cleary took over the head coach role in 2012 and spent a few years building a team capable of competing at the top level. While he wasn’t able to deliver consistent finals appearances, Cleary’s tenure was not without promise. The 2017 season, in particular, stood out as the Tigers narrowly missed the top eight, finishing 9th – a far cry from the bottom rungs where they had been for some years.

Despite his efforts, Cleary’s time with the Tigers came to an end in 2018, when he left the club after a three-season stint. He would soon go on to find success elsewhere, but his initial time at the Tigers laid the foundation for what would come next. Cleary left the Tigers with some key insights into the team’s potential, and while he didn’t reach his peak during his first spell, his understanding of the club’s challenges and culture would eventually play a role in his return.

A Monumental Return to Penrith Panthers
In 2019, Cleary returned to the Penrith Panthers, a club where he had previously spent time as an assistant coach early in his career. His return to the Panthers would prove to be a turning point, not only in his career but also in the fortunes of the Panthers. The timing of his arrival was crucial, with the Panthers struggling in the years prior to his return, failing to qualify for the finals in 2018.

Cleary took the helm of the Panthers with the mission of building a team capable of sustained success. The team went through some growing pains in his first year back, finishing 10th on the ladder, but by 2020, Cleary had started to instill the foundations of a championship-contending side. Under Cleary’s guidance, the Panthers became a force in the NRL, culminating in the team’s first premiership in 17 years in 2021. This victory was just the beginning, with the Panthers clinching another premiership in 2022, cementing Cleary’s legacy as one of the NRL’s most successful coaches of the decade.

The Success at Penrith and Personal Struggles
While Cleary’s success at Penrith was undeniable, it did not come without its personal challenges. The pressures of the coaching role, combined with the intense scrutiny that comes with managing a team at the top of the ladder, led Cleary to consider stepping away from coaching at several points during his career. However, his love for the game, his commitment to the Panthers players, and his desire to leave a lasting legacy pushed him forward.

In interviews, Cleary has admitted to moments of reflection, questioning whether the toll of coaching was worth it. The demands of the NRL often took a toll on his personal life, but Cleary found solace in the success he was helping create at Penrith. His decision to stay on and continue coaching the Panthers, despite the personal sacrifices, was a testament to his dedication.

As the Panthers’ successes mounted, Cleary’s connection to the team deepened, especially with his son, Nathan Cleary, being one of the key players in the team’s rise. Their bond on and off the field became a defining feature of the Panthers’ dynasty. As the years passed, it became evident that Ivan Cleary had created a Panthers team that was not only talented but also resilient and mentally tough, capable of withstanding the pressures of being the reigning champions.

Returning to Wests Tigers: A New Challenge
After years of success at Penrith, Ivan Cleary made the decision to leave the club, and in February 2025, it was announced that he would return to the Wests Tigers as their head coach for the 2025 NRL season. This move shocked many in the NRL community, as Cleary had built a dynasty at Penrith, but his return to the Tigers is filled with meaning both for Cleary and the club.

For Cleary, the move represents a full-circle return to a club where his coaching career began. While his first stint with the Tigers was not as successful as he had hoped, Cleary’s understanding of the team’s potential, along with his experience at Penrith, gives him the tools to turn the Tigers into a competitive force.