NRL: Future is Cleary for the Warriors

Ivan Cleary will remain as coach of the Warriors next year. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Ivan Cleary will remain as coach of the Warriors next year - regardless of whether the club makes the NRL finals.

Cleary is contracted until the end of 2012 but his future has been the subject of intense scrutiny following last year's disappointing season, which culminated in the club losing eight of its final 10 games.

The Herald understands Cleary was told earlier in the season his position would come under review should the club fail to make the finals again this season.

The back-to-back losses that have followed a five-match win streak have taken the Warriors to the brink of dropping out of the playoff positions. However, the coach's job is no longer on the line.

"Ivan will be the coach next year," chief executive Wayne Scurrah said.

Factors such as the way the team had performed despite a brutal injury toll and the positive impact of the restructured football department had weighed in Cleary's favour.

"I think Ivan has done particularly well," Scurrah said.

"Certainly the goal for us is always to make the finals and we wanted to be in a better position earlier - to attract good attendances and things like that. We didn't achieve that but we are well in the firing line for the finals now."

The club's crowds have been below budget this season but Scurrah insisted he wasn't worried a Cleary-led side would be a tough sell to fans if the club missed the finals for a second straight season.

"We are only focused on making the finals," Scurrah said.

"The results every week demonstrate just how tough this competition is. We had a hiccup last week and the week before. We've just got to get back on the horse again [tonight]."

Cleary said the constant conjecture had not been easy to live with.

However, knowing his future was secure would not affect the way he approached what is shaping as a fraught run-in to the finals for the eighth-placed Warriors.

"It is not easy when things are being said, but that hasn't changed from the day I started. It's the job you put your hand up for.

"Living with the pressure of having to come up with results is not new to me. You are just never comfortable in the position. I'm like everyone else here - you are just a custodian for a position.

"But it's not really about me. It is about the team doing well and the players getting better.

"We've worked hard this year and, coming down to the business end of the year, all I am worried about is making sure the team gets the best result."