Penrith Panthers boss Ivan Cleary hospitalised after serious blood clot issue

Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has been hospitalised after serious blood clot issue in hislegs.

That’s according to Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler who has reported that, when the 2021 premiership-winning mentor missed Penrith’s demolition of Newcastle on Sunday, the club revealed that his absence was down to “medical reasons”.

“In this season of coaching madness and a merry-go-round, Ivan’s situation hasn’t really been focused on,” Weidler told 9News Sydney.

“He has missed three games this year.

“I can tell you he was in ICU last week where they discovered he in fact has blood clots in his legs. So it’s quite a serious situation for Ivan Cleary and the Panthers.

“He is now getting treatment for all of that and, fortunately, he is now back at home and… hoping to be back working with the Panthers tomorrow.”

Cleary has been at the helm in the Blue Mountains for almost 200 games in two spells, with 154 matches under his belt at the New Zealand Warriors and 43 with the Wests Tigers.

His Penrith side are currently reigning champions after beating the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 2021 NRL Grand Final in a nailbiting affair.

And, the Panthers sit top of the NRL ladder, looking to make it back to back Premiership triumps.