Simon Lethlean says no as Adelaide ramps up its hunt for a new chief executive

Adelaide’s search for a new CEO includes a highly-rated finance chief from Hawthorn, but one of their top targets has already given them the cold shoulder.

Who will the Crows tap to replace departed CEO Andrew Fagan? Picture: AAP

Adelaide is expected to ramp up its search for a new chief executive this week but could miss out on a leading contender.

St Kilda chief operating officer Simon Lethlean has been heavily linked to the position, but the former AFL operations manager has informed the Crows he wants to stay with the Saints.

The Crows could still pursue Lethlean, but at this stage he has politely declined the opportunity.

Lethlean was considered a frontrunner for the Carlton CEO job but was pipped at the last minute by Cain Liddle.

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Simon Lethlean has told Adelaide he wants to stay at St Kilda. Picture: AAP

West Coast football manager Craig Vozzo is also a key candidate for the Crows’ CEO role, although the former player agent and list boss has been touted as a likely replacement for long-time Eagles’ boss Trevor Nisbett if he stays in the west.

Hawthorn chief operating officer Tim Silvers is also in the frame to replace outgoing Crows’ chief executive Andrew Fagan.

Silvers has a strong reputation for his work in finance at the Hawks and has been sounded out by several clubs for senior positions.

He was interim chief executive at Hawthorn in 2017 until the club appointed Tracey Gaudry who left the club after five months in the role.

The Crows have earmarked West Coast footy boss as a target. Picture: Michael Klein

The Crows are expected to narrow down their search to two or three leading candidates over the next fortnight and finalise an appointment early next month.

The club would prefer to complete face-to-face interviews but that process has been made more difficult by the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne and the ongoing border restrictions around the country.

The Crows have received more than 50 applications and are buoyed by the level of interest shown in the position by experienced candidates.

The Crows want the successful candidate to have a “proven ability in strategic planning, driving a high performance culture, football administration, innovation, commercial operations and extensive media relations expertise.”

Originally published as Simon Lethlean says no as Adelaide ramps up its hunt for a new chief executive