In a dramatic turn of events, the Collingwood Magpies have announced the sudden and unexpected termination of head coach Craig McRae’s contract, ending his tenure with the club after a successful but turbulent period. The move has taken the AFL community by surprise, especially given McRae’s significant achievements, including guiding the team to the 2023 AFL Grand Final.
The decision was made following an urgent board meeting on Sunday morning, which was convened to discuss the team’s recent performance and future direction. While McRae has been praised for his leadership, a series of inconsistent results in the latter part of 2024 led to increased pressure on both the coach and the club’s leadership.
The Shock Announcement
Collingwood’s CEO, Craig Kelly, issued a statement confirming the termination, thanking McRae for his contributions and service to the club. “We sincerely appreciate Craig’s work with the Magpies over the past few years. He brought passion and commitment to the team, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. However, after a thorough review of our performance and direction, the board has decided it’s in the best interests of the club to make a change.”
Despite McRae’s promising results, Collingwood’s failure to convert their potential into consistent performances throughout the 2024 season ultimately led to the decision to part ways. The club has emphasized that it remains committed to rebuilding and maintaining its legacy of competitiveness.
Malthouse’s Stunning Return
In a move that has stunned both fans and analysts, Collingwood has announced the appointment of AFL coaching legend Mick Malthouse as McRae’s replacement. Malthouse, who led the Magpies to their 2010 AFL Premiership, will return for a third stint as head coach of the club, further solidifying his legacy as one of the most influential figures in AFL coaching history.
Malthouse, who retired in 2015 after a distinguished career that saw him amass over 700 games coached across multiple clubs, has been out of the spotlight for several years. However, sources close to the club indicate that Malthouse has been in discussions with Collingwood for several months and has agreed to come out of retirement to take the reins once again.
“I am excited to return to a club I hold so dearly in my heart,” Malthouse said in the official press release. “This is a new challenge, but one I am ready for. I believe in the potential of this group, and I am looking forward to working closely with the players, staff, and supporters to bring success back to Collingwood.”
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