Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse is a man at the top of his profession. His side have won the 2010 AFL premiership, 2010 McClelland Trophy, last week’s NAB Cup and enter the 2011 season as red-hot flag favourites, yet if Pies president Eddie Maguire’s plan goes ahead he won’t be coaching in 2012.
We all know about Maguire’s unprecedented succession plan for the top job at Collingwood, with Malthouse to move aside into a director of coaching role, making room for Magpies favourite son Nathan Buckley to take the reins for the 2012 season and beyond.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou summed up a lot of footy fans’ sentiment towards the plan when he said on 3AW radio last week: “He’s going to become director of coaching, whatever that means.”
It is a strange plan (particularly considering it was orchestrated all the way back in mid-2009) and it has copped its fair share of criticism, with AFL legends Leigh Matthews and Paul Roos the latest to question it this week.
But you can understand Maguire’s desire to secure Buckley to the club, as there’s no doubt he has an intelligent football brain and is an impressive candidate to become an AFL coach.
But we’re talking about replacing the 2010 AFL Coach of the Year who has coached in seven AFL Grand Finals (if we include 2010’s replay) in the past 20 years, with a former on-field superstar who has never coached an AFL match before.
It’s a strange prospect when you think about it like that.
And we shouldn’t forget Malthouse (despite his grey hair) is only 57, which is by no means the retirement age for an AFL coach. Far from it, particularly one currently at the top of his field.
Publicly, Collingwood claim the succession plan was mutually agreed by all parties.
Maguire said last October: “This agreement… was not inflicted on Michael, it was actually agreed with Mick before we even spoke to Bucks.”
It makes you wonder if Malthouse has actually lost the passion for coaching.
Yet when Malthouse, who admitted he expected enquiries from other AFL clubs post-2011, was asked if he’d contemplate moving to another club to coach he wasn’t outright in his response, when he said: “Until that time, I really couldn’t say.”
Maguire, though, said last year that if Malthouse’s reneged from his agreed contract (three years as director of coaching) and opted to coach another AFL club, he may sue him.
It was a strong warning from Maguire, but whether that threat would turn into reality is another question.
The question plenty of people are pondering is, has Maguire given Malthouse his director of coaching role to deny other clubs his services?
Former premiership-winning coach Paul Roos, who stepped down from the top job at Sydney to hand the reins over to long-time assistant John Longmire this season, made the point Malthouse will have to offer Buckley plenty of space and control to make the arrangement work.
Whether or not Malthouse will be content with such a modified role is a question only he can answer, but it could play a big part in deciding his future beyond this season.
And then, of course, as Matthews suggested if Collingwood do win the 2011 premiership (as widely predicted, although obviously there’s a long way to go) how could the plan go ahead.
Even a Grand Final place would put Maguire in a difficult position, but you’d think given the team player which Buckley is, he may be content to wait his turn another year given the circumstances.
Then again, maybe Malthouse has lost the passion, but given he’s a career coach currently at the top of his profession, it’s hard to believe that would be the case.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, 69, is a similar example of a long-time coach who has been linked with retirement but just continues on and on, as he knows no else and continues to succeed.
Whatever happens at Collingwood this season, Maguire’s unprecedented succession plan will cause a stir.
Whether it works as he had planned, we’ll have to wait and see, but confining Malthouse to the peripheral role of ‘director of coaching’ isn’t something which I can see lasting for long.
BulldogsFan
Guest
I hope he comes to the Bulldogs it's just what we need to make the Grand Final.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
The return of the prodigal son (sort of). He still speaks fondly of Footscray, the team that gave him his first break in coaching (and was a reasonable stint, given their previous 23 seasons). It wouldn't surprise me if he were to return on what would be a modest remuneration package (by his recent standards).
davelee
Guest
probably go to the western bulldogs. rodney eade has been coaching for 15 -16years and never won anything (except a nab cup). he's gotta go, mick in, for a return after 20odd years away to lead footscray to glory in 2012
amazonfan
Roar Guru
I'm so embarssed! For some reason, I thought you were talking about Collingwood, when what you said makes perfect sense. I even thought that bullies was a new nickname for the Magpies, which certainly fits their supporters. :D Again, I want to apologise, for I should have correctly interpretated it.
Australian Football: Central Coast Represent
Guest
Greater Western Sydney Giants????
Neotraveler I did not see (or hear) the comment from Eddie and am only going on what was written in the press. One report alleged it was a threat to Mick to make him think before breaking contract. It may be as you say, a comment in jest and other reports attempts to hype up the story. This is a very unusual situation in that most times a club wants to get rid of a coach for failure. Here however Mick's accomplishments make things difficult. A promise was made to Buckley and I cannot see Collingwood backing out of that (nor do I think he would let them.) Obviously they would also like to keep Malthouse off the market.
BigAl I am sure your comments must have been made in jest. "Mick Malthouse is on the wrong side of 50 to be senior coach at an AFL side these days." Mick Malthouse is the best coach in the AFL by a mile and whichever side of 50 he is on is totally irrelevant. "He was a good coach, but not good enough to be in demand now." Did you even bother to put your brain in gear before saying this? He has just coached his team to two premierships and is favourite to win another. (Much as it pains me to say so.)
2010 premiers
Guest
hey there mick, i am a mad and crazy one eyed collingwood supporter and fan of the mighty pies since the age of 5yrs old i am just writing mick please dont not leave the pies beacuse we truly love u there,oh by the why look at our membership so far we have over 60,118 .and many more to came so u crazy collingwood supporters please sign up and lets make it over 70,000 by rnd 6 go u crazy one eyed collingwood supporters
BigAl
Guest
Mick Malthouse is on the wrong side of 50 to be senior coach at an AFL side these days. He was a good coach, but not good enough to be in demand now.
Neotraveler
Guest
I took the "I'll sue him" comment in jest from Eddie as a way to deflect the rumours that it was a bit of an empty role presented to Mick (it isn't even clearly defined is it?, was it Mark Robinson who said the "contract" depended on Mick accepting the role they presented to him...) Not really a threat for mine... How do you get rid of a coach "amicably"?? A succession plan.. or of course the Crows plan, where I am certain when the time comes it will be a "succession" plan or they will tap Craig on the shoulder and say give your six weeks notice. Hard ti 'fire' a coach and keep him on at the club.
Richard
Roar Guru
No doubt Bomber Thomson will be able to instruct the young guys in ethics, loyalty and integrity. Beware Thomson's offering. He's shot his load already.
PaddyBoy
Guest
3-4 sound like great moves and have my full support.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Bullies are getting their act together off the field, but yes, it would become a case of whether Mick would want the challenge of returning to where it all started, and you know what? I reckon his the sort of bloke who would go for it.
Charlie
Guest
I'm pretty sure by bullies MLF means the Western Bulldogs, not Collingwood. However I don't think the dogs have the resources (read money) to attract the highest paid coach in the game - even with Julia as full forward.
It is a very interesting situation which will only be made worse should Collingwood win the 2011 flag. Although ALL other positions in a Football Team are peripheral to that of the coach they should not be denigrated or treated without due respect. However, I find it hard to believe Mick will just step aside especially if they go top again. Whether Maguire sues or not I'll bet Malthouse takes a coaching position with another club.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
amazon I think we're talking at cross purposes - I'm referring to the bulldogs - Eade's contract will not be renewed until the end of the season, and I suspect that will be dependent on a grand final appearance. I'm sure Smorgo has Malthouse in mind.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Brisbane: I imagine they would make him an offer, however I doubt he would accept it. In one of the article, it was mentioned he wanted to spend more time with his grandkids, so I can't imagine him moving to QL. Carlton: See my above post. Melbourne: I'm a Demons fan. I think we'll be sticking with Bailey for the time being, who could turn out to be a very good coach. Bulldogs: A possibility, for sure, however could they afford him? Also, I think Eade will be offered a new contract. That's my early prediction. WCE: Doubt it. I don't think Malthouse will want to move to WA, if the comment about his wanting to spend more time with his grandkids is true. Also, why would he want to tarnish a magnificent legacy? Two flags, and ten finals series in ten seasons.
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
With Mick in the form of his coaching career it is doubtful (but not improbable) that he will step away from coaching to sit and watch Buck's take a team he has built over the past 6-7 years. The possibilities are intriguing: Brisbane: Voss to be sacked if they have another poor season and this comes back to his rubbish trading at the end of 2009, he will eventually pay for those errors you would think Carlton - Need to win a final according to the club heirarchy, dont know if he would go there though Melbourne: I think Bailey probably has another year after this one Western Bulldogs: Apparently need to make/win the GF in 2011, he has previously coached there in the 80's, the squad is still pretty good, might just need a coach whop has been there and done that West Coast Eagles: Woosha will be sacked this year, no doubt about it, he has massive history at this club and they will be cashed up looking for the best available starting in 2012 What are the Roar thoughts on this list?
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Brisbane won't be the only one. I think that Carlton will- should Ratten fail to meet required targets- also make a play for Malthouse. By going after Malthouse, Carlton will accomplish four things: 1)Secure the services of one of the greatest coaches of all time. 2)P**s off Ed and Collingwood. 3)P**s off Ed and Collingwood. 4)P**s off Ed and Collingwood.
Redb
Roar Guru
"You make the assumption that the Director of Coaching role is a “peripheral role”. On the contrary I predict it will be central" yes quite right central to the evolving nightmare for the Pies should they win again in 2011. Essendon have a bloke called Bomber Thompson who might know a bit about coaching.