'I'd consider that': Three words from Ivan Cleary hint at major next career move

Queensland powerbrokers might be a little nervous following the bombshell announcement from Penrith coach Ivan Cleary on Wednesday.

Cleary revealed he will step away from NRL coaching once his deal with the Panthers expires at the end of 2027.

The 55-year-old has established himself as a modern supercoach thanks to four consecutive premierships, and five consecutive NRL grand finals from 2020 to 2024.

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His side is also humming to start season 2026, sitting top of the table with only one loss from 10 games and once again installed as title favourite with bookmakers.

And while Cleary plans to walk away from coaching an NRL team permanently, he is very much interested in taking on a representative team.

"I still love coaching, but I have plenty of time to scratch that itch," he told media.

"I have no interest in coaching another NRL club. If someone thought I was worthy of a rep job, I'd consider that.

"It is definitely something that I have started thinking about the past 12 months, which I never had before.

"Obviously when you are not an NRL coach that opens up those sort of doors so it is something I would consider if someone thought me worthy of that."

Cleary's comment spells bad news for those north of the Tweed River.

He sat in the New South Wales coaching box during the 2023 State of Origin series, and was game day assistant to Brad Fittler.

The NSW Rugby League will no doubt be making enquiries as to his plans for 2028 and beyond.

Maroons great Sam Thaiday feels it is inevitable Cleary will be in charge of the Blues.

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"He doesn't want to coach another NRL team, so that's probably another blow to the Perth Bears," Thaiday told Nine's Today.

"But this is lining up... Queensland I think are going to win the next two Origin series, and then Ivan Cleary can come in and try to fix NSW after that. That's what I'm thinking."

Cleary worked with the New Zealand team under head coach Stephen Kearney during the 2013 World Cup, and again during the 2014 Four Nations which the Kiwis won.

Laurie Daley returned as NSW coach last year on a two-year contract that expires at the conclusion of this looming series.

Daley was previously sacked as coach in 2017 after winning only one series in five years with the Blues.

His second tenure got off to a horrendous start, with the Blues losing last year's series despite winning game one in Brisbane.

NSW fans are still trying to figure out how Queensland won the decider in Sydney.

If the Blues lose the 2026 series again it's likely the NSWRL will once again send Daley packing. That could potentially create its own problem if the NSWRL is keen on hiring Cleary for 2028 and beyond.

There are a range of hypothetical situations that could play out if that was the case - with one possibility that they petition the Panthers and the NRL to allow Penrith's coach to juggle the Blues role with his final season in clubland. Given that Peter Wallace has already been given the Panthers job for 2028, it is possible that the club could be convinced to release Cleary for an eight-week period during the Origin series to allow Wallace an early internship with the top job.

At this stage any scenario such as this is merely kite flying but it could become a real option if Daley is unable to lead the Blues to a series win this year.

Fittler says Cleary will be able to walk into just about any job he desires in rugby league.

"Winning four grand finals, not only does it show his ability to take someone to the highest level, but you get to stay there. That's the coach," Fittler said on Nine's Freddy and the Eighth.

"He's put himself in a position where he can step back, take a less stressful job, and he deserves everything he gets. He's done an incredible job at Penrith.

"He could put his hand up and get any job."

The 2026 Origin series begins in Sydney on May 27.