Penrith have announced Anthony Griffin as their new coach from the 2016 season. The former Brisbane coach has signed a three-year deal and takes over from Ivan Cleary who was dumped by the Panthers this week with one year remaining on his contract.
“I’m very honoured to be in this position and very humbled to be the coach of a great club in the Penrith Panthers,” Griffin said. “I’ve got a basic knowledge of western Sydney. It’s a massive area and I know it needs a successful NRL team.”
Cleary was sensationally sacked by Panthers supremo Phil Gould on Monday. The former State of Origin mentor said he believed Cleary needed a break from coaching.
“Understand that we did not advertise this position. We did not accept applications and we interviewed no other candidate. We are delighted he has accepted our invitation to be the new head coach at out our club,” Gould said.
Griffin spent four years at Red Hill and was moved aside ahead of the 2015 season to make way for returning supercoach Wayne Bennett.
Cleary spent four seasons at the foot of the mountains after leaving the Warriors following their 2011 grand final loss to Manly.
He was brought to Penrith with much fanfare by Gould and led the Panthers to the preliminary final in 2014. This year, however, the Panthers only narrowly avoided the wooden spoon courtesy of a final-round win over last-placed Newcastle.
