The shake-ups just keep coming at Penrith as new GM Phil Gould confirmed the appointment of a new head coach today - Ivan Cleary.

Many thought that the current interim coach Steve Georgallis was all set for the role, especially after Sunday's 30-20 win over North Queensland.

But Cleary has been confirmed on a three-year contract starting next year.

Gould maintains that Georgallis was told from the get-go that he was looking for an experienced coach.

He said that Cleary had always been his first choice, having the credentials he was looking for as a development coach with strong character, discipline and leadership.