Carlton joins search for chief executive as Steven Trigg resigns
CARLTON has confirmed it wants axed former AFL executive Simon Lethlean to be a candidate to take over from sacked CEO Steven Trigg, but says it’s not yet a fait accompli.
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AXED AFL football boss Simon Lethlean will be made to enter a recruitment process if he wants the vacant Carlton chief executive job.
Blues president Mark LoGiudice Mark LoGiudice yesterday denied suggestions Lethlean had already been earmarked to takeover from Steven Trigg, saying the departure was the result of “discussions over several months”.
But, this morning, he confirmed the club wanted Lethlean to be a candidate.
“I would hope Simon Lethlean will be part of this process,” LoGiudice told AFL Trade Radio. “We expect there’ll be multiple candidates and there’ll be good quality candidates.
“And I do hope Simon Lethlean will be part of that process because he’s got the right skill sets and he’s got the expertise required to lead a football club.”
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Four Melbourne clubs are now searching for a CEO.
Collingwood will also require candidates for the Pies’ top job to submit to formal interviews.
Hawthorn, which parted ways with chief executive Tracey Gaudry on Monday after just five months, has already ruled out Lethlean as a suitable candidate.
The Western Bulldogs are also hunting a new chief, with Gary Kent to walk away in March next year.
LoGiudice denied claims the Carlton board had treated Trigg poorly and had sounded out Lethlean covertly.
“We haven’t been working behind his (Trigg) back at all,” he said on trade radio.
“You’re assuming he’s (Lethlean) been approached and it’s all been done behind his back.
“It’s difficult. This is a difficult situation for Steven because he’s done so many good things for the football club.”
Lethlean told the Herald Sun yesterday the club’s search for a new CEO would “focus on finding someone with a strong commercial background who will drive the club to the next level required for success.”
Trigg shifted to the Blues from the Adelaide Crows three years ago after serving a six-month suspension for his role in the Kurt Tippett salary cap affair.
He said last night: “We’ve been talking for a while regarding tenure, family and so on and while this is an earlier than ideal decision by the board to make a move, it’s understood.”
“I’m extraordinarily proud of the changes and the strong foundations we’ve made over the past three years.”
Billionaire Blues powerbroker Bruce Mathieson boasted in April 2015 that Trigg would help return the club to greatness.
“The appointment of Trigg was a great get, people wouldn’t have thought we could get him,” Mathieson said.
“We’ve got the best administration we’ve had in 20 years - I can guarantee you that.”
Lethlean was forced out by the AFL in July because of an affair with a younger female staffer.
Reinstated Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said on Tuesday that Lethlean would not be considered for the club’s CEO position because of his conduct at the AFL.
“We are a family club ... it’s much too early for a club like Hawthorn,” Kennett said.
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