http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/tigers/ivan-cleary-responds-to-speculation-he-will-coach-the-wests-tigers-in-wake-of-jason-taylors-sacking/news-story/70e687cf1355dde26411e00260a06d08
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IVAN Cleary has confirmed he would be interested in coaching the Wests Tigers, but says the club is yet to make contact with him.
Cleary has been labelled the leading contender to replace sacked Jason Taylor in the role.
He denied the job had already been offered to him when speaking on NRL Tonight.
“Not true, that’s flat out not true. I’ve had no contact. The word is they’re going through due process and that’s probably the right thing to do,” Cleary said.
Asked if he would take the job if it was offered he hinted he would, although expressed some reservations.
“I’d certainly listen. There’s a lot of upside at that club. I’d look into it,” he said.
“I’ve said many times that I’d like to get back in (to NRL coaching) but it would have to be the right job as well.”
Cleary admitted perceived instability at board level would need to be addressed with him before he would take the role.
“Yeah because that’s a big part of the whole operation,” he said.
“It does start at the top, and I know there’s been some change there. It’s easy to say there’s instability because a lot of coaches have come and gone but there’s been change at the top and sometimes that brings stability.”
Taylor was sensationally sacked by the club on Monday in the wake of a 46-6 loss to Canberra on Sunday. They won big in round one but consecutive losses — in which they collectively scored one try — proved the last straw for the board.
Cleary - who was shown the door by Penrith at the end of 2015 - said he empathised with Taylor who is now out of a job.
“What has been missed in this is Jason Taylor. I feel for him, it was a tough day.”
Since Monday’s bombshell speculation has been rife as to who accepts the poison chalice that is the Wests Tigers coaching position. They’ve had three head coaches in six years.
Cleary is undoubtedly the best credentialed rugby league coach currently without a job.
He has previously coached the Warriors and the Panthers for a combined 252 games. His record sits at 121 wins, 128 losses, and three draws.
He was Dally M coach of the year in 2014 when he took Penrith to the preliminary final. In 2011 he coached the Warriors to the grand final, only to lose to Manly in the big dance.
Tigers premiership winner Todd Payten is another who has been mentioned as a possible Taylor successor.
Fairfax Media reported on Tuesday the Wests Tigers could take up to two months to officially appoint a new coach.
Andrew Webster has been promoted from assistant to act as interim coach.
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IVAN Cleary has confirmed he would be interested in coaching the Wests Tigers, but says the club is yet to make contact with him.
Cleary has been labelled the leading contender to replace sacked Jason Taylor in the role.
He denied the job had already been offered to him when speaking on NRL Tonight.
“Not true, that’s flat out not true. I’ve had no contact. The word is they’re going through due process and that’s probably the right thing to do,” Cleary said.
Asked if he would take the job if it was offered he hinted he would, although expressed some reservations.
“I’d certainly listen. There’s a lot of upside at that club. I’d look into it,” he said.
“I’ve said many times that I’d like to get back in (to NRL coaching) but it would have to be the right job as well.”
Cleary admitted perceived instability at board level would need to be addressed with him before he would take the role.
“Yeah because that’s a big part of the whole operation,” he said.
“It does start at the top, and I know there’s been some change there. It’s easy to say there’s instability because a lot of coaches have come and gone but there’s been change at the top and sometimes that brings stability.”
Taylor was sensationally sacked by the club on Monday in the wake of a 46-6 loss to Canberra on Sunday. They won big in round one but consecutive losses — in which they collectively scored one try — proved the last straw for the board.
Cleary - who was shown the door by Penrith at the end of 2015 - said he empathised with Taylor who is now out of a job.
“What has been missed in this is Jason Taylor. I feel for him, it was a tough day.”
Since Monday’s bombshell speculation has been rife as to who accepts the poison chalice that is the Wests Tigers coaching position. They’ve had three head coaches in six years.
Cleary is undoubtedly the best credentialed rugby league coach currently without a job.
He has previously coached the Warriors and the Panthers for a combined 252 games. His record sits at 121 wins, 128 losses, and three draws.
He was Dally M coach of the year in 2014 when he took Penrith to the preliminary final. In 2011 he coached the Warriors to the grand final, only to lose to Manly in the big dance.
Tigers premiership winner Todd Payten is another who has been mentioned as a possible Taylor successor.
Fairfax Media reported on Tuesday the Wests Tigers could take up to two months to officially appoint a new coach.
Andrew Webster has been promoted from assistant to act as interim coach.
