Eddie McGuire yet to commit to return to footy broadcasting

Eddie McGuire has yet to commit to a return to footy broadcasting after reportedly struggling since stepping down as Collingwood president.

Eddie McGuire announcing his departure from Collingwood. Picture: Alex Coppel

Eddie McGuire has yet to give an indication of when he will return to footy broadcasting.

The former Collingwood president is taking an extended break following his emotional exit from the club last month, with Fox Footy saying he hasn’t committed to any work.

“Eddie made a decision on that day he resigned that he was going to have a break, and how long that break is and what happens at the end of it is unknown because that’s up to Eddie,’’ said Fox Sports Executive Director, Steve Crawley.

“When Eddie feels he’s OK to have a chat, we’ll have a chat. But we’re showing respect and not pushing anything there.

“It feels right to me the way that it’s played out.

“We’ve communicated, it’s a tough time for him and when he feels comfortable we’ll have a chat. I think it’s a smart decision by him.”

McGuire has reportedly been struggling and has barely been sighted except for when he paid his respects to good friend, the late music legend Michael Gudinski.

Jason Dunstall, Kath Loughnan, Garry Lyon, Sarah Jones, Dermott Brereton, Kelli Underwood, Jack Riewoldt and Jonathan Brown from the Fox Footy team. Picture: Jayden Ostwald

Many of McGuire’s Fox Footy colleagues were at the season launch at Chancery Lane including Jonathan Brown, Dermott Brereton, Garry Lyon, Sarah Jones and Jason Dunstall.

A long time friend, Brereton revealed he is still sad and angry about how McGuire was treated and had spoken to some of those who criticised him.

“I think Eddie will come back in when he’s ready, I don’t know whether that will be soon, medium term or a bit down the track,’’ Brereton said.

“He loves the sport, almost as much as he loves Collingwood.

“The people who I reckon piled in on him, I told them as well.

“So they know where I sit with that. There’s reporting and then there’s opinions. And some of my colleagues in the media, their opinion was relentless and I’ve let them know what I think of that.

“We work in the media and then within the media as a fraternity there are micro fraternities such as Fox Footy. And Eddie is one of us and some of us who work here were relentless in their pursuit of him.

“You can still be honest and have an opinion, but I don’t think it showed a great level of team or comradeship. I thought it brought out the worst.”

McGuire pointed to his sabbatical in his resignation speech from Collingwood saying: “And with the indulgence of my media partners, I’m going to take a break for a little while to regroup and heal.”

After 23 years he stepped away the role after a barrage of external and internal pressure in the wake of his controversial response to the Collingwood-commissioned Do Better report.

The AFL season starts on March 18 with Fox Footy revealing a new program called Dermie Delivers, plus the signing of new talent, Eddie Betts and Christian Petracca.

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