Anthony Koutoufides rules himself out for Carlton presidency ahead of February 19 AGM

After a failed tilt to become Lord Mayor of Melbourne, could Kouta’s next role be back at the club that made him famous? The running for the top job at the Blues is starting to become clearer.

Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides has ruled out a tilt at the club’s presidency as former AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick continues to be linked to the position vacated by Luke Sayers.

Koutoufides has joined broadcaster Tom Elliott and former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg in making clear he is not a contender for the job ahead of the February 19 annual general meeting.

Sayers quit the presidency and the Carlton board amid the “dick pic” scandal that saw his X (Twitter) profile “compromised” with a lewd photo, after claims his social media account had been hacked.

Carlton vice president Robert Priestley remains the strong favourite to succeed Sayers as the internal candidate with board-room support.

Anthony Koutoufides won’t be running for the Carlton presidency. Picture Supplied

The Sydney-based investment banker and fellow Blues vice president Patty Kinnersly have been elevated as interim presidents until a decision is made on Sayers’ successor.

Like Port Adelaide chairman David Koch, Priestley would be located in Sydney while at the helm of a club interstate but it is not seen as a disqualifying factor.

Priestley was the chief executive of JP Morgan Australia and New Zealand for 15 seasons.

Former Blues captain Fitzpatrick and senior ANZ banker Mark Whelan also have strong backers to become president from outside of the board.

Koutoufides told this masthead he was honoured Blues supporters, including Tom Elliott, son of former president John Elliott, had pushed his case but he had a political campaign to launch.

He was beaten in the race to become Melbourne’s lord mayor last year, but will run as a “community independent” on a campaign of tackling street crime, revitalising the central business district in a Melbourne Federal electorate held by Greens boss Adam Bandt.

“No one has asked. It would be an unbelievable opportunity but right now I am running for the seat of Melbourne in the federal election so it’s too difficult for me to do that too but it would be such a great time because the club is just starting to move forward,” Koutoufides said.

“I walked in at such a young age and for people to think that I could even be considered as Carlton president is incredible but it’s just not the right time. I love the club and would love to see it go forward. I am still a supporter. After so many years if they were to win a premiership right now, my goodness me it would be absolutely crazy

“No one would have thought it would be 30 years since the next premiership.”

Carlton great Mike Fitzpatrick continues to be linked to the role. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Sayers’ departure will at least give the club some clear air to navigate another season of expectation with a list stacked with Coleman Medallists, All Australians and Brownlow Medallist Michael Voss.

Sayers was a key backer of coach Michael Voss amid a rocky start to the 2023 season, with the Blues backing in Voss until 2026 despite a disappointing elimination final loss in 2024.

Chief executive Brian Cook will move on at some stage this season under an orderly transition that has seen veteran administrator Graham Wright become the club’s deputy CEO as part of a succession plan.

It is a huge coup for Carlton given his strong footballing acumen and role in Collingwood’s premiership triumph.

The club said when Wright was appointed that while Cook was contracted to the end of the 2025 season the duration of the handover would be “ongoing in nature and centred around the long-term best interest of the club”.

Originally published as Anthony Koutoufides rules himself out for Carlton presidency ahead of February 19 AGM