AFL agent Craig Kelly manages Nathan Buckley and several senior coaches in waiting

THE man who manages Nathan Buckley’s footy career — and that of several other coaches — looms as the most pivotal figures in Collingwood’s call on the senior coach.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott is a Craig Kelly client. Picture: AAP

AFL super agent Craig Kelly looms as the most pivotal figure in Collingwood’s call on embattled senior coach Nathan Buckley.

Kelly’s company not only manages Buckley but most of the potential candidates to replace him if Eddie McGuire’s board opts to cut ties with the six-time Copeland Trophy winner.

ROBBO: SENSE THAT TIME’S UP FOR BUCKS

McGuire returns to Melbourne after a mid-season break in Europe on Thursday night.

Highly-fancied Level Four assistant coaches John Barker, Stuart Dew, Adam Kingsley and Dean Solomon are in the Kelly stable, as is North Melbourne coach Brad Scott.

Magpies chief executive Gary Pert, who helped orchestrate the contentious transfer of power from Mick Malthouse to Buckley at the end of the 2011 season, is also close to Kelly.

Nathan Buckley and midfield coach Scott Burns are clients of Craig Kelly. Picture: AAP

“The tentacles reach everywhere — so there’s a lot conflicts that need to be managed,” one rival club boss said.

Ross Lyon famously signed a deal with Fremantle behind Kelly’s back in late 2011 because Kelly also looked after then-Dockers’ coach Mark Harvey’s affairs.

Harvey was sacked and Lyon appointed over the top of him in a stunning secret deal.

Collingwood assistants Scott Burns and Robert Harvey are also clients of Kelly’s global management firm TLA, as well as Justin Leppitsch, Brendon Lade, Matthew Knights and Mark McVeigh.

Other AFL senior coaches under Kelly’s control include Adam Simpson, Simon Goodwin, Leon Cameron and Alan Richardson.

Craig Kelly manages a lot of AFL coaches.

Alan Richardson is in Craig Kelly’s stable of clients. Picture: AAP

Hawthorn chief executive Tracey Gaudry said last month four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson had guaranteed her that he was committed to the club.

Clarkson, who is managed by James Henderson, is contracted until the end of 2019.

Sydney premiership coach John Longmire, who has returned the Swans to the top eight despite a 0-6 start to the season, is contracted until the end of 2020 and not considered gettable.

Kelly, a 1990 Collingwood premiership player, declined to discuss the Buckley situation.

Collingwood’s board is scheduled to meet in two weeks but the prevailing view is that Buckley will coach out the season unless he decides to walk.

An external review into the club’s entire operations conducted by businessman Peter Murphy is due at the end of August.

Collingwood head of football Geoff Walsh speaks with a Collingwood official at training on Monday. Picture: AAP

A separate report into the football department overseen by veteran football boss Geoff Walsh is also underway.

Buckley has coached 125 games for a 65-60 win-loss record since taking over from Malthouse in 2012.

The 15th-placed Magpies held a team lunch at the club on Monday and face the Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

AFL coaches managed by Craig Kelly’s TLA.

THE KELLY GANG

Coaches managed by Craig Kelly’s TLA empire

Nathan Buckley - Collingwood senior coach

Scott Burns - Collingwood midfield coach

Robert Harvey - Collingwood backline coach

Brad Scott - North Melbourne senior coach

Chris Scott - Geelong senior coach

Alan Richardson - St Kilda senior coach

Simon Goodwin - Melbourne senior coach

Adam Simpson - West Coast senior coach

Leon Cameron - GWS senior coach

John Barker - Carlton stoppages coach

Mark Harvey - Essendon defence coach

Matthew Knights - Geelong midfield coach

Dean Solomon - Gold Coast midfield coach

Justin Leppitsch - Richmond forwards coach

Brendon Lade - Port Adelaide forwards and rucks coach

Adam Kingsley - St Kilda midfield coach

Stuart Dew - Sydney assistant coach