Scott Watters has been sacked as coach of struggling AFL club St Kilda, with a formal announcement expected this afternoon.
The move comes after Fairfax Media journalist Caroline Wilson revealed that Watters had come close to losing his job last month when a review found that key club officials had expressed dissatisfaction with the head coach.
A rift with football boss Chris Pelchen had also been specified as the cause for unrest at Seaford after a turbulent trading period that saw Nick Dal Santo and Ben McEvoy moved on from the club.
Watters appeared on Melbourne radio station SEN this morning and scoffed at any hint of unrest.
“When a president sits with you and says we see you as a long term coach, that’s enough for me,” he said.
Watters was appointed as Saints head coach in late 2011 following the departure of Ross Lyon. In his two seasons as head coach Watters’ record stood at 17 wins and 27 losses, with the club finishing ninth and 16th in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
According to reports the coach had been informed of his sacking late in the morning. The Saints’ playing group have also been notified of the decision and St Kilda President Peter Summers will make an announcement this afternoon.
Former Premiership-winning Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams has firmed as Watters’ likely replacement
St Kilda officials were unable to be contacted by The Roar about the termination of Watters’ contract.
More to follow.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
Lyon's a genius, they would have most likely sacked him if he stuck around for to much longer, so I'm saying he did the right thing.
Radelaide
Guest
Blight and Thomas had problems with board members and you can't be too hard on Lyon after all he is proving at Fremantle that even though his style is considered boring at least his teams are competitive and stay in the top 8.
Cursing Fijian
Guest
I get the feeling they are paving the way for a favorite son to take the helm, perhaps under the tutelage of a Mark Williams. This whole saga seems to demonstrate that Chris Pelchen is a power player. I wonder what his legacy at the Saints will be. Moving forward the fans like me want to know...why? And don't use the unauthorised media conference line. Come out and tell us why. Summers, Riewoldt, Hayes.......I work hard for the money I plow into our great club. You owe me the truth!
JamesP
Guest
mark Williams surely is the logical choice. premiership coaches don't grow on trees. There has been speculation of bringing Robert Harvey back, but that is akin to Leppa replacing Voss at Brisbane. Hopefully they can get Williams.
Are you there Harry
Guest
Another one bites the dust. Saints are the new Melbourne.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
How smart is Ross Lyon, he saw the footy club for what they were, coach killers.Watson, Blight, Thomas and now Watters, it's a graveyard, why anyone would want to take on this gig is a mystery, they'll sack at least one more senior coach before they get up to the 8 again, may be better to wait until after that happens. That list was inherited by Watters, that is really rough on him, Lyon get's the glory Watters get's the guts. 5 coaches in 13 years, way to go Saints.
Australian Rules
Guest
This has been brewing for weeks and weeks, but I'm still surprised. The must be certain they can get Williams.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
"No choice"?! You've got to be kidding, of course they had a choice. This decision smacks of the Stan Alves decision years ago and the Saints then spent the next 5 or 6 years hopelessly on the coaching/saviour roundabout, lingering at the bottom of the ladder. Some footy club boards are full of amateur power brokers kidding themselves that they can make a difference with impulsive decisions based on childish hopes.
Kev
Guest
Rebuilds take time. It's not like they can turnover half their list in one season. The decision seems a bit shortsighted to me.
Avatar
Roar Guru
Big shock. Watters never really had the chance to rebuild the Saints the way he wanted to. But the Saints had no choice following their 16th place finish this year.