Cameron Ciraldo’s name has been on the lips of many in recent weeks as three NRL clubs are currently seeking a permanent coach.

The 37-year-old has been an integral part of the Penrith Panthers rise to the premiership in recent years as an assistant coach to Ivan Cleary.

In fact, Ciraldo also had a stint at the Panthers as a player where he would take the field for the club on 32 occasions in 2012 and 2013 before retiring after representing Italy at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Last year it was rumoured that Ciraldo was set to sign on as head coach of the Wests Tigers for 2022 but this did not eventuate as then-coach Michael Maguire was able to keep his job but only briefly as he was recently released by the Tigers.

This has once again sparked speculation over whether or not Ciraldo is still the front runner for the job.

On SEN’s breakfast show this morning The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio shed light on a reported conversation Ivan Cleary had with Ciraldo about taking on a job as head coach of an NRL team.

“Ivan Cleary described how important it is for Cameron not to jump early into the wrong job,” Riccio said.

“Cameron is in the perfect position at Penrith in that he can stay in Penrith and roll over for another 12, 18 months or two seasons if he wants to.

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“But if you don’t pick the right job, it could be a pretty short career.

“That was pretty insightful from Ivan.

“He has concerns over the Tigers and the Bulldogs which is obvious because they are 15th and 16th, and their history as far as coaching turnover is concerned.”

Panthers board member and former player Greg Alexander then stated that he believes Ciraldo will wait for the right job to come along and not take on such an important job without being prepared.

It is also uncertain as to whether or not Ciraldo would move on to pastures new immediately or see out the season with Penrith first before moving on like his former colleague Trent Barrett did back in 2020.