Since Cleary and Gould have taken on their Penrith assignment, they have attracted four former Warriors (Lewis Brown, Isaac John, Jeremy Latimore and Elijah Taylor) but Gould rules out Johnson joining that list.
"He's been an outstanding talent since he came into first grade and there should be a lot of talk about him," says Gould. "But I would imagine that he is a long-term Warriors player for the rest of his career. (A possible move) has never been discussed (here)."
Nevertheless, Gould is an unabashed fan of the 22-year-old, who made his NRL debut just over two years ago.
"He is a gifted individual but is now running games and controlling the tempo, which is a real sign of maturity," adds Gould.
"With him the sky is the limit. It really depends on how long he wants to play for and maintain his place in the game. He could become one of the all-time greats."
Gould doesn't expect Johnson, who played his 57th NRL game last night, to reach his full potential until at least the 2015 season.
"He probably won't peak until he has played 100 or so games but whether he gets into the Darren Lockyer, Brad Fittler category down the track will depend on a few factors," says Gould.
"(It depends on) his longevity, how he manages his body, his mentality and his professionalism. But he seems like a tough kid."
For his part, Johnson can't say if he will be a Warrior for life.
"Growing up in Auckland, I absolutely love the place," Johnson told the Herald on Sunday. "It's just really hard (to say) at this stage. I don't want to come out and say I will be a one club man and then it bites me in the butt a couple of years down the track."
Apart from the inevitable interest from other NRL clubs, Johnson has also been linked with rugby, admitting late last season that the Olympic opportunity via sevens was an attraction.
"I just want to do what is best for my career and my family," says Johnson. "Travelling is something I want to do but the thought of being a one club man at the Warriors is pretty cool too. I just can't answer that at the moment; we'll just have to see what happens."
Johnson is mature beyond his years and possibly too honest for his own good. Where many other players clam up in front of a microphone, Johnson is refreshingly effusive and eloquent.
"We have to also remember that it doesn't always work out the way the player wants it to," says Johnson. "Have a look what Benji is going through - you can get forced into a decision and you just have to choose what is best for you and your family."
He admits the recurring transfer talk has become an annoyance.
"It is distracting when it keeps getting brought up," says Johnson. "I feel like I have answered that question a few times now and the answer remains the same.
"I'm like any other footy player; if clubs come offering you a deal, you look at it - you are not going to be silly about it."
Johnson is under contract at the Warriors until the end of the 2015 season. There are few genuine star quality halfbacks in the NRL and plenty of clubs that could do with his services. The Auckland club will be keen to open negotiations soon, with the expectation that Johnson will command a significant upgrade. He is a franchise player, the type you build a team around and if he was to depart, it would hit the club hard, on and off the field. Most Warriors fans in the current fast moving environment might be content if the 'Almighty Johnson' spent another five years in Auckland.
Meanwhile, Steve Rapira looks set to leave the Warriors at the end of this season.
The second rower is recognised as one of the toughest tacklers in the competition but his career in recent years has been blighted by a series of injuries.
Rapira, who also spent two years with the Cowboys in 2009-10, is sidelined with an ACL injury.
The 24-year-old joined the Warriors at the start of the 2011 season but has made only 14 NRL appearances over the past three years. Rapira's likely destination is the Super League, though he could remain in the NRL.
