The Panthers have ruled out signing Manly coach Trent Barrett amid reports that he will walk from the Sea Eagles at the end of the season.
Barrett has been linked to the Panthers following the sacking of Anthony Griffin, given his history at the club and his manager Wayne Beavis' relationship with Penrith boss Phil Gould.
But Panthers chairman Dave O’Neill has poured cold water on any sort of reunion, stating Barrett is not in the club's plans.
"Trent Barrett won’t be coaching the Panthers next year," O’Neill told NRL.com.
"We haven’t spoken to him, we haven’t discussed him internally in any of the conversations we’ve had around the head coaching position next year.
"Cameron Ciraldo is our coach for the rest of 2018 and after the season we'll begin making plans for 2019 and beyond. But I can assure you Trent Barrett and John [Cartwright] aren't part of those plans."