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How the deal was done
Before the Tigers finalised their deal with Maguire, Cleary informed the club of his decision to sign with Penrith from 2021 – as he promised he would.
At the request of the Tigers, Cleary agreed not to go public with the announcement until they had sorted out the deal with Maguire, which would free Cleary to link with the Panthers immediately.
The Tigers told Penrith that Ivan wouldn't be released without compensation. To the coach's credit, he didn't feel right about leaving without paying for the damage he'd caused.
It's why he agreed to sacrifice his final month's pay at the Tigers (understood to be around $50,000), and also take a pay cut from his salary at the Panthers to provide part of the $250,000 compensation deal facilitated by the club. "I never lost a minute’s sleep over it," O'Neill said.
"The path we headed down is in the best long-term interest of our footy club. I had a good relationship with Justin and Marina. It wasn't about an attack on the Tigers. It was a business decision.
"I wasn't proud of some of the media coverage but it's my job as chairman to act in the best of our club and I believed, and still do, that having Ivan Cleary as our head coach was the best way to achieve long-term goals. The most exciting thing for me is the harmony in the club.
"It's been two years since I've seen that. The proof will be in the pudding whether it was the right decision to bring Ivan back. We'll be judged on that. I'll be judged on that. As I should be."
Michael Maguire puts the Kiwi through their paces in 2018.
Bernard Platt
Maguire agreed to the deal while coaching the Kiwis in England.
Cleary then sent a text message to his players, one that had to be edited and approved by the Tigers, to let them know he was jumping off the bus.
"G'day boys. I hope this finds you well and enjoying your time off. I was writing to you in the hope of beating the press.. to let you know that I will no longer be your coach at Wests Tigers.
"This is an extremely uncomfortable situation for me as I have genuine fondness for the club, and I have loved coaching you all.. I understand that this situation has caused some pain for people that I care about, along with putting the club in an awkward situation... I do not feel good about this.
"I would have preferred to do this in person but time and circumstances have made that impossible.I hope we meet again soon and I wish you all the very best in the future. You have my number and I am always open for a chat if you wish. Iv."
Before the Tigers finalised their deal with Maguire, Cleary informed the club of his decision to sign with Penrith from 2021 – as he promised he would.
At the request of the Tigers, Cleary agreed not to go public with the announcement until they had sorted out the deal with Maguire, which would free Cleary to link with the Panthers immediately.
The Tigers told Penrith that Ivan wouldn't be released without compensation. To the coach's credit, he didn't feel right about leaving without paying for the damage he'd caused.
It's why he agreed to sacrifice his final month's pay at the Tigers (understood to be around $50,000), and also take a pay cut from his salary at the Panthers to provide part of the $250,000 compensation deal facilitated by the club. "I never lost a minute’s sleep over it," O'Neill said.
"The path we headed down is in the best long-term interest of our footy club. I had a good relationship with Justin and Marina. It wasn't about an attack on the Tigers. It was a business decision.
"I wasn't proud of some of the media coverage but it's my job as chairman to act in the best of our club and I believed, and still do, that having Ivan Cleary as our head coach was the best way to achieve long-term goals. The most exciting thing for me is the harmony in the club.
"It's been two years since I've seen that. The proof will be in the pudding whether it was the right decision to bring Ivan back. We'll be judged on that. I'll be judged on that. As I should be."
Michael Maguire puts the Kiwi through their paces in 2018.
Bernard PlattMaguire agreed to the deal while coaching the Kiwis in England.
Cleary then sent a text message to his players, one that had to be edited and approved by the Tigers, to let them know he was jumping off the bus.
"G'day boys. I hope this finds you well and enjoying your time off. I was writing to you in the hope of beating the press.. to let you know that I will no longer be your coach at Wests Tigers.
"This is an extremely uncomfortable situation for me as I have genuine fondness for the club, and I have loved coaching you all.. I understand that this situation has caused some pain for people that I care about, along with putting the club in an awkward situation... I do not feel good about this.
"I would have preferred to do this in person but time and circumstances have made that impossible.I hope we meet again soon and I wish you all the very best in the future. You have my number and I am always open for a chat if you wish. Iv."
