WESTS Tigers’ CEO Justin Pascoe has hit back at former employer, Penrith Panthers, who have reportedly tabled a big money deal to his head coach Ivan Cleary.

After Panthers coach Anthony Griffin was sacked, executive general manager Phil Gould reportedly made an offer to Ivan Cleary to rejoin the club on a four-year deal.

However, Cleary is contracted to coach the Tigers for the next two seasons and the club would certainly require compensation if Cleary was to leave his job.

LIVE Stream every game of every round of the 2018 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. SIGN UP NOW.

Round 20

Paul Kent confirmed on NRL 360 that Ivan Cleary wants to reunite with his son at the Panthers.

“Ivan wants to go back to Penrith next year,” Kent said.

“The Panthers asked Ivan when he would like to come back, if it would be 2021, the first season out of the Tigers or would it be later than that.

“Ivan said he would be willing to go back next year, sooner rather than later.”

Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe responded, denying Cleary was seeking a release to move back to Penrith.

READ MORE

PAUL KENT: THE BOLD PANTHERS POWER PLAY THAT LURED IVAN CLEARY

LEGAL ACTION: TIGERS TO FIGHT ‘TOOTH AND NAIL’ FOR CLEARY

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS: MAKING SENSE OF PENRITH SHAKE-UP

RIVERS OF GOULD: THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS PAID OUT

“Our position is very clear, that Ivan Cleary is contracted with us for another two years and we expect him to be with us,” Pascoe told NRL 360.

“Ivan Cleary or his management have not asked for a release and if Ivan Cleary does ask for a release, we will not be granting a release and we will be fighting for him.

“A contract was entered into in good faith 18 months ago and our expectation is that we are not going to release Ivan Cleary and we are going to fight for what we think is a really good coach.”

“This club has come a long way in the past 18 months. We are a strong club with a proud history and we are really proud of the fact, that we are heading in the right direction.

Pascoe then took aim at the Panthers for moving for their coach in a statement released on the Wests Tigers website on Tuesday night.

“I’m really disappointed that they’ve had to go through all the speculation,” Pascoe said of the Tigers’ fans’ ordeal.

“I’m bitterly disappointed that a rival club has decided that it’s appropriate practice to try and poach a coach with Two-and-a-half years left on his contract.

“We’re not going to be pushed aside or bullied or railroaded by anyone.

MORE NRL NEWS

THE RUN HOME: CRONK’S COLLISION COURSE WITH STORM

STORM BOMBSHELL: SLATER SET TO RETIRE

TEAM ANALYSIS: BULLDOGS AND PANTHERS WELCOME BACK ORIGIN DUO

“This club and myself have to make decisions that are in the best interests of the Wests Tigers first and foremost, our fans our members and our stakeholders, and giving our head coach to a rival club is not a decision that is in the best interest of the fans or the stakeholders.”

Pascoe confirmed that Cleary had spoken to him about an approach from the Panthers.

“Ivan had an open conversation with me late on Monday afternoon,” Pascoe said.

“He alerted me to the fact that Penrith had reached out to him about a week ago.

“From there I obviously alerted the board and had a discussion and I had a further discussion with Ivan this morning.”

The Panthers have reportedly officially offered Cleary a four-year contract, which would begin in 2019 and expire at the end of 2022.

Anthony Griffin was sacked despite the Panthers being in the top eight. Source: News Corp Australia

It’s believed Cleary met with Panthers officials a fortnight ago, and informed the Tigers of the meeting on Monday.

Cleary was sacked by Phil Gould in 2015 and replaced with Anthony Griffin, a fact not lost on Pascoe.

“Keep in mind too, that I was sacked by the same club in that same year,” Pascoe said.

“Does it surprise me that he might want to go back there? Yes it does.

“It is probably more disappointing that a rival club would entertain making a play for our coach, while knowing that he has two and a half years to go.

“But if Ivan Cleary or his management ask for a release, we would not allow that to happen.”