DONE DEAL: Luai Jerome Rejoices as Former Penrith Panthers Coach Ivan Cleary Finally Signs New Deal with Wests Tigers to Take Over as Team Head Coach for the 2025 NRL Season
In a game-changing announcement for the NRL, former Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has officially signed a deal to take over as the head coach of the Wests Tigers for the 2025 season. The highly anticipated move comes as a huge boost for the Tigers, who have been searching for a strong leader to guide the club back to prominence. With Cleary’s proven track record of success at Penrith, Tigers fans are brimming with excitement as they prepare for a new era under his leadership.
Cleary, who led Penrith to back-to-back NRL Premierships in 2021 and 2022, has long been regarded as one of the finest coaches in the league. His strategic insight, player development expertise, and ability to create a winning culture have earned him widespread respect. After leaving the Panthers, Cleary’s decision to join Wests Tigers marks a fresh chapter in his storied coaching career.
The news of Cleary’s move to the Tigers has been met with great enthusiasm across the NRL, particularly by players who have worked with him in the past. Penrith star Jarome Luai, who thrived under Cleary’s guidance, expressed his excitement for the Tigers’ new direction. “Ivan has been a huge part of my career, and I know what he can bring to the Tigers,” Luai said. “He’s a winner, and he’ll turn that club around. They’ve got a lot of talent, and with Ivan at the helm, I’m sure they’ll be contenders in no time.”
Cleary’s appointment follows the retirement of Wests Tigers’ previous head coach, Benji Marshall, who stepped down after a challenging tenure. While Marshall’s departure was a sad moment for the club, it paved the way for the Tigers to bring in a coach of Cleary’s caliber—someone with a history of turning teams into Premiership contenders.
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe spoke enthusiastically about the deal. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Ivan Cleary to the Wests Tigers family,” Pascoe said. “His track record speaks for itself, and we believe his leadership will bring the stability, direction, and success we’ve been striving for. Ivan’s experience and his ability to build teams from the ground up are exactly what we need to take the Tigers forward.”
Cleary’s appointment is seen as a crucial step in the Tigers’ ongoing rebuild. The club, which has struggled for consistency in recent years, has a wealth of young talent that could flourish under Cleary’s guidance. His ability to develop and nurture young players—such as Luai, Nathan Cleary, and Stephen Crichton—during his time at Penrith has made him a sought-after commodity for clubs looking to develop a winning formula.
As the 2025 NRL season approaches, the Wests Tigers are now considered one of the most intriguing teams to watch, with Cleary’s coaching pedigree setting the stage for an exciting new chapter. The Tigers’ long-suffering fans are hopeful that this signing will finally bring the success they’ve been waiting for. With Cleary at the helm, the future of the Wests Tigers looks brighter than ever.
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