NRL: We should've kept outgoing Cleary - Hart

New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary after announcing he will leave the club. Photo / Greg Bowker

Warriors director John Hart admits the NRL grand finalists blundered by not signing Penrith-bound coach Ivan Cleary to a long-term deal.

Cleary will link up with the Panthers in 2012 after the Warriors granted him a release from the final year of his contract - a decision which grates with Hart - the former All Blacks coach who has served as a mentor to Cleary.

"I don't think we should ever have lost him - I'm very disappointed," Hart told AAP.

"I'm probably his greatest fan.

"I've worked with him for six years, we're very close and I just think he's an outstanding coach.

"He's gone through all his hard years and now he's blossoming and now it's just a shame he's not going to go forward with us."

When first approached by Penrith general manager Phil Gould about coming over to the Panthers, Cleary asked the Warriors board for some assurances regarding his future at the club beyond next season.

It came at a time when the Warriors - after finishing sixth in 2010 - were struggling in the lower half of the ladder.

The club - despite the pleadings of Hart - refused to commit beyond 2012 and, after a request from Cleary, allowed their coach to forgo the final year of his deal to take up a three-year contract with the Panthers.

Since news of his impending move to the Panthers was announced, the club has lost just three of 12 games as they embarked on a giant-killing run all the way to Sunday's decider against Manly.

Not only that, but the prospects for the future of the club have never been brighter, with the under 20s and NSW Cup side also winning through to grand finals.

Cleary has said he would look back on pride with what he has helped establish at the Auckland-based club, but Hart has little doubt that the 40-year-old would be saddened by the fact he has to leave it all behind and start again.

"I have no doubt about that - whether it's regret or not ... I think he's very disappointed that he's going."

- AAP