Cleary had a year to run on his deal. Gould said the decision to terminate the contract followed an extensive review of the club, which battled an unprecedented injury crisis in 2015.

Former Broncos coach Anthony Griffin is set to be ushered in as his replacement, although the deal is not yet finalised. It is no secret Gould has a high opinion of Griffin, believing the foundations for the Broncos' success this season under Wayne Bennett had already been laid. Penrith are not speaking to another coach.

So, at 4pm on Monday, Gould pulled the trigger, telling Cleary his contract had been terminated in the best interests of the team, which this year narrowly avoided the wooden spoon with a final-round victory over hapless Newcastle.

"I had concern for Ivan midway through the year," Gould told Fairfax Media. "I felt he was looking tired and I had the conversation with him, and also his wife. He came back a week later and he said he was going to battle on. I just haven't felt things were going to be any different or better."

"The biggest factor for me was that Ivan is off contract at the end of 2016," Gould said. "At this stage, I couldn't see myself extending that contract. I just thought I was setting Ivan and the club up for a difficult year if he coached again. We had speculation of what his future might be if it didn't go his way. It was best to make the change now. I had to make it. It was the right decision for Ivan, and for the club. The pressure our club was put under this year with the number of injuries also shone a light on some other aspects of our people and our club. Quite often, these things are exposed under pressure."

There has been much speculation about a souring relationship between Gould and Cleary for months, not least since the ugly departure of former assistant coach Trent Barrett when he signed on as Manly coach.

In truth, the end of a coach's time at any club is the result of several factors. Gould has known Cleary for decades, having spent time together at the Roosters in the 1990s when Gould was coach and Cleary a sharp-shooting fullback and centre. "He's shocked and disappointed. It's disappointing for me, too. We've known each other a long time. But it's a big call, he's a great coach, I'm sure he'll get another job."

Cleary did not return calls on Monday night. It's an unfortunate end to his time at Penrith, given the level of optimism when he arrived after the 2011 season as the replacement for Matthew Elliott. Alongside Gould and leagues club boss Warren Wilson, Cleary was one of the key planks in salvaging the financially crippled Panthers – and also thwarting the arrival of the AFL-funded Greater Western Sydney Giants in Sydney's west.

"The game's given me everything," Clearly said in an interview in 2011. "It's a huge area out here, and it's important everyone does their bit in fostering the game. Not only do I want to, but I feel it's my responsibility."