League: Ivan Cleary open to NRL coaching offers

Sacked Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is hoping to get back into coaching immediately. Photo/Getty.

Axed Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has returned from his holiday in the Maldives, saying he is hoping to get back into coaching immediately.

Sacked last month by the Panthers who claimed Cleary was burnt out and needed a break, the former Warriors mentor said he had never lost his hunger to coach.

Cleary, who has been linked to the Wests Tigers and Warriors with both respective coaches Jason Taylor and Andrew McFadden under fire, says he is open to offers.

"I have not spoken to any other club about a head coaching job," Cleary told News Corp Australia.

"What I will say is that I am absolutely committed to being a head coach.

"I have never been in this position before. I don't really know the answers.

"I will just have to see what comes up. There are not many jobs (available) so I would be a fool not to consider everything."

Cleary previously coached the Warriors between 2006 and 2011, taking them to four finals series, including the 2011 grand final.

He then moved to the Panthers in 2012, finding success in 2014 when he coached an injury-ravaged side to one week from the grand final.

His 2015 season was destroyed by injuries, with most key players spending significant time on the sideline.

Cleary's sacking surprised both him and Panthers players.

"I was a bit shocked and I said that at the time," he said.

"I guess it is just another experience. Not all the experiences are always good but I feel I will be better for it.

"I will be better for my experience at the clubs I have been at."

- AAP