NRL: Ivan Cleary denies Warriors coaching rumours

Sacked Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has denied rumours linking him to a return to the Warriors. Photo/Getty.

Sacked Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has spoken out against rumours that he's in line to replace Andrew McFadden as head coach of the Warriors.

Cleary insists he has not spoken to managing director Jim Doyle or any other Warriors officials about returning to the club he played for between 2000-2002 and coached between 2006-2011, prior to joining the Panthers.

"That should be known,"' Cleary told Sydney's Sunday Telegraph.

"Also too, for Jim Doyle (Warriors chief executive).

"I don't want question marks over him, he's trying to back the coach (McFadden) and as far as I know he is.

"There's been no discussions with them or anyone else. I was committed to the Panthers."

In a revealing interview, Cleary also explained that Panthers general manager Phil Gould had asked him to stand down from his role.

The 44-year-old declined the request but was sacked by Gould soon after, despite having another year remaining on his contract.

Cleary is now considered a genuine chance of filling the vacant Kangaroos coaching job.