NRL 2019: Penrith Panthers general manager of football Phil Gould made redundant

Phil Gould.
Phil Gould. Photo credit: AAP

Phil Gould's reign at the foot of the mountains is over with his departure from Penrith NRL club to be confirmed as early as Wednesday.

Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher told AAP that Gould was set to be made redundant from his role as general manager of football.

"(Chairman) Dave O'Neill and myself met with Gus this morning," Fletcher said.

"He believes his job here at Penrith is done and his position is now redundant.

"I will take that to the board tomorrow and Gus will move onto the next phase of his life."

The club's board will meet on Wednesday however Fletcher said it could take weeks for his exit to be finalised.

Gould's position appeared untenable after cracks in his relationship with coach Ivan Cleary began to appear.

After Cleary returned to the club in the off-season following Anthony Griffin's sacking, Gould had a reduced role in the running of the football department and the football team.

Their relationship was already strained after Gould sacked Cleary as coach three years ago, famously declaring that he looked "tired".

Gould had attempted to recruit seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett as Griffin's successor but was overruled by the club board.

He took up a back office role with the Panthers in 2011 and has been responsible for building the club into a strong position.

He was the driving force behind the construction of their $22 million academy, guiding the club to widespread success in the lower grades and they boast a junior system which is the envy of rival NSW clubs.

However he has been criticised for not delivering a premiership.

He was often mocked for not delivering on his "five-year plan" to win a title - however he denied the club ever had such a policy.

AAP