St Kilda have indicated that the relationship between Brad Scott and Saints football chief Simon Lethlean will not be a factor as the Saints seek a replacement for coach Alan Richardson.
Scott, who mutually parted ways with North Melbourne earlier in the season after nearly a decade at the helm, had been linked with the St Kilda coaching position since leaving Arden Street, well before Richardson resigned from the Saints on Monday.
The former Kangaroos coach is a close friend of Lethlean, leading to speculation that Scott would be in the box seat to coach St Kilda in 2020.
However speaking at Moorabbin on Tuesday at the press conference formalising Richardson's departure, Saints chief executive Matt Finnis vehemently denied that Scott's relationship with Lethlean was a consideration.
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“I havent spoken to Brad and perhaps Ill address that, because Im obviously aware of the reports,” Finnis said.
“The reality is this is a critical decision for our football club and any suggestions that those kinds of decisions get made on the basis of a friendship or a connection should just be absolutely disregarded.”
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat is currently overseas but arrives back later this week and will lead a sub-committee to find the club's next full time senior coach.
Bassat is expected to be joined on the panel by St Kilda football director Dean Anderson, Finnis and possibly Lethlean. External voices could also be a part of the process.
Brett Ratten, who "did not hesitate" to take up the position of caretaker coach for the remainder of the season, will be considered for the role of Richardson's full-time replacement.
Ratten has impressed the Saints since joining the club at the end of last year from Hawthorn, where he had been an assistant coach after being sacked as Carlton's senior coach at the end of 2012.
Finnis stressed the importance of the Saints finding the right person to replace Richardson.
“Everyone at our football club believes in strong, good governance. This is a critical decision that puts us on the path to winning our next premiership. We will make sure we get it right,” Finnis said.
“I cannot be stronger on this: Any suggestions that theres some kind of pre-determined outcome here are simply baseless and should be disregarded.
“For those people who know Andrew Bassat and know myself as a CEO, this is a board which I believe over the last several years has stood for good governance. Our members have seen that, our members respect that but our members demand that — and thats what our focus will be going forward.”
Finnis would not specify whether the Saints would look towards a coachRead More – Source
St Kilda have indicated that the relationship between Brad Scott and Saints football chief Simon Lethlean will not be a factor as the Saints seek a replacement for coach Alan Richardson.
Scott, who mutually parted ways with North Melbourne earlier in the season after nearly a decade at the helm, had been linked with the St Kilda coaching position since leaving Arden Street, well before Richardson resigned from the Saints on Monday.
The former Kangaroos coach is a close friend of Lethlean, leading to speculation that Scott would be in the box seat to coach St Kilda in 2020.
However speaking at Moorabbin on Tuesday at the press conference formalising Richardson's departure, Saints chief executive Matt Finnis vehemently denied that Scott's relationship with Lethlean was a consideration.
Advertisement
“I havent spoken to Brad and perhaps Ill address that, because Im obviously aware of the reports,” Finnis said.
“The reality is this is a critical decision for our football club and any suggestions that those kinds of decisions get made on the basis of a friendship or a connection should just be absolutely disregarded.”
St Kilda president Andrew Bassat is currently overseas but arrives back later this week and will lead a sub-committee to find the club's next full time senior coach.
Bassat is expected to be joined on the panel by St Kilda football director Dean Anderson, Finnis and possibly Lethlean. External voices could also be a part of the process.
Brett Ratten, who "did not hesitate" to take up the position of caretaker coach for the remainder of the season, will be considered for the role of Richardson's full-time replacement.
Ratten has impressed the Saints since joining the club at the end of last year from Hawthorn, where he had been an assistant coach after being sacked as Carlton's senior coach at the end of 2012.
Finnis stressed the importance of the Saints finding the right person to replace Richardson.
“Everyone at our football club believes in strong, good governance. This is a critical decision that puts us on the path to winning our next premiership. We will make sure we get it right,” Finnis said.
“I cannot be stronger on this: Any suggestions that theres some kind of pre-determined outcome here are simply baseless and should be disregarded.
“For those people who know Andrew Bassat and know myself as a CEO, this is a board which I believe over the last several years has stood for good governance. Our members have seen that, our members respect that but our members demand that — and thats what our focus will be going forward.”
Finnis would not specify whether the Saints would look towards a coachRead More – Source
