Nathan Buckley to step down as Collingwood coach - The Age

Nathan Buckley has stepped down as coach of Collingwood, midway through his 10th season at the helm of the Magpies.

Buckley told the football department and players of his decision on Wednesday morning, ending months of speculation about his position.

Buckley will finish up after coaching the club against Melbourne at the SCG in the moved Queen’s Birthday clash.

At a press conference on Wednesday morning with club CEO Mark Anderson and football manager Graham Wright, Buckley said the decision for him to leave as coach was the right decision for the club, and while he would have been happy to coach until the end of the year, it was right to stop on Monday.

He said all discussions with club decision-makers have been “transparent”.

“Nothing lasts forever, I was going to be tapped at some stage. No doubt this is the best thing for the football club,” he said.

The press conference with Pies CEO Mark Anderson, departing coach Nathan Buckley and club football manager Graham Wright.Credit:The Age

He expressed his gratitude for his time at the Magpies. “I feel blessed to be part of this football club for a long period of time,” he said. “In the journey that I’ve shared with Collingwood since … the lessons have been broad.

“I’ve always felt that I’ve always given my all effort to the multiple roles that I’ve played over the last 28 years. “It’s sad that’s it’s coming to an end on Monday.”

He was also optimistic about the future. “I will go into the blue skies of what the rest of my life will look like,” he said. “It will always be as a Collingwood supporter and looking outside in.”

The club also confirmed that assistant and Saints legend Robert Harvey will be interim coach.

Anderson said the decision was the right one for the club and Buckley. “He has genuinely and authentically had the club’s best interests at heart,” Anderson said.

“Nathan as a person and a leader has huge respect at the Collingwood Football Club and across the AFL industry. It’s the right decision … but it does come with a heavy heart and sadness for us all.”

Collingwood had said they would leave the decision on Buckley’s future until the end of the season with both president Mark Korda and football manager Graham Wright indicating the performances in 2021 had been below par as the Magpies won just three of their first 12 games.

Although Buckley had made it clear publicly he wanted to continue as coach beyond 2021, internally he had impressed with his emphasis on ensuring that whatever decision was made in regards to his future, it should be made in the best interests of the club.

Buckley will coach his last game on Queen’s Birthday. Credit:Getty Images

Buckley succeeded Mick Malthouse as coach in 2012 and took the club to within a kick of a famous premiership in 2018, with West Coast winning the game with a goal in the final two minutes.

The Magpies then lost the preliminary final to the Giants in 2019 and finished sixth last season after a famous win over the Eagles in Perth.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvc3BvcnQvYWZsL25hdGhhbi1idWNrbGV5LXRvLXN0ZXAtZG93bi1hcy1jb2xsaW5nd29vZC1jb2FjaC0yMDIxMDYwOS1wNTd6ZDMuaHRtbNIBaWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLnRoZWFnZS5jb20uYXUvc3BvcnQvYWZsL25hdGhhbi1idWNrbGV5LXRvLXN0ZXAtZG93bi1hcy1jb2xsaW5nd29vZC1jb2FjaC0yMDIxMDYwOS1wNTd6ZDMuaHRtbA?oc=5

2021-06-08 23:47:55Z
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