The Papua New Guinea NRL expansion franchise has encountered its first major setback after failing to secure the services of four-time premiership-winning coach Ivan Cleary. Newly appointed General Manager Michael Chammas confirmed that despite substantial financial incentives and the unique challenge of establishing a new club, Cleary has declined the opportunity to become the inaugural coach of the PNG Chiefs when they enter the competition in 2028.
Chammas, who recently transitioned from a distinguished two-decade career in rugby league journalism to football administration, revealed that approaching Cleary was a necessary due diligence exercise given the coach’s contract situation at Penrith Panthers expires in 2027. “We asked the question of Ivan Cleary, but unfortunately Ivan has made it clear that it’s not in his plans to coach the PNG Chiefs, so we move on,” Chammas stated during an interview with SEN radio. “With someone like Ivan off contract at the end of 2027, I think it would have been negligent of us to not ask the question.”
The rejection also effectively eliminates any possibility of the franchise acquiring Cleary’s son, star halfback Nathan Cleary, through a speculated package deal that would have substantially exceeded other club offers. This development forces the organization to redirect its attention toward alternative coaching candidates, with former South Sydney mentor Jason Demetriou and experienced campaigner Adrian Lam emerging as the leading contenders.
Chammas’s own career transition from media to management represents a subplot to the coaching saga. The newly appointed executive detailed how an immersive experience with the Sydney Roosters during their 2024 Las Vegas campaign ignited his desire to move from reporting on the sport to actively participating in football operations. “I sat in team meetings, was on the team bus and training sessions, so I got a first-hand look at what it’s like inside,” Chammas explained. “That was the first time that I felt like I wanted to do more than write about it – I wanted to be involved in it.”
Despite his unconventional background, Chammas believes his two decades of industry knowledge and established relationships with key figures in the rugby league community provide a solid foundation for one of the most challenging roles in NRL history. He acknowledges the need to build a strong support team around him to compensate for areas where he lacks direct experience, emphasizing that his immediate priority involves assembling expert personnel to navigate the complex task of establishing a competitive franchise in a challenging environment.