newcastle knights celebrate as nathan cleary joins as head coach and isaah yeo as assistant
newcastle, nsw – the newcastle knights have made a stunning announcement that has sent shockwaves through the nrl world. the club has officially named nathan cleary, the panthers’ premiership-winning halfback, as their new head coach. adding to the excitement, cleary will be joined by his long-time penrith teammate and co-captain, isaah yeo, who has been appointed as the knights’ assistant coach.
this double signing marks a bold new era for the knights as they look to rebuild and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
a coaching transition like no other
nathan cleary, who has spent his entire playing career at the penrith panthers, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, including four premierships and multiple state of origin victories. while many believed he would continue his journey as a player, cleary has decided to transition into coaching, a move that showcases his passion for the sport and his desire to nurture the next generation of rugby league talent.
“it was not an easy decision to step away from playing, but the opportunity to coach the knights was too good to pass up,” cleary said during his introductory press conference. “this club has a rich history, and i’m excited to help shape its future.”
isaah yeo brings leadership and experience
isaah yeo’s move to the knights as an assistant coach is equally monumental. widely regarded as one of the best forwards of his generation, yeo’s leadership on and off the field has been instrumental in penrith’s success. his partnership with cleary has been a cornerstone of their team’s dominance, and their synergy is expected to bring a fresh and innovative approach to the knights.
“joining nathan in this new chapter is incredibly exciting,” yeo said. “we’ve built something special together at penrith, and i’m looking forward to bringing that same energy and vision to newcastle.”
a new direction for the knights
the knights have struggled for consistency in recent seasons, finishing outside the top eight in 2024. the appointment of cleary and yeo signals a commitment to a long-term strategy focused on developing young talent, enhancing team cohesion, and instilling a winning culture.
“this is a transformative moment for our club,” said knights ceo phil gardner. “nathan and isaah bring a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. we believe they’re the perfect duo to lead us into a new era.”
fan reactions
news of cleary and yeo’s appointments has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among knights fans. social media has been abuzz with messages of support and excitement for what many are calling the “dream team” coaching duo.
“i never thought i’d see nathan cleary coaching, let alone at the knights,” said one lifelong fan. “this is the start of something special.”
what’s next?
the knights’ preseason training is set to begin in a few weeks, with cleary and yeo expected to hit the ground running. their focus will likely include fine-tuning the squad’s playing style, developing young talent, and laying the groundwork for a successful 2025 campaign.
with two of the nrl’s brightest minds now at the helm, newcastle fans have every reason to be optimistic about the future. as the knights embark on this exciting new journey, all eyes will be on how cleary and yeo translate their on-field success into coaching triumphs.
