Nathan Buckley signs contract extension with Collingwood until 2021
An impromptu encounter between president Eddie McGuire and Nathan Buckley in the corridors of the Collingwood Football Club late last year set in motion a contract extension for the coach.
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An impromptu encounter between club president Eddie McGuire and Nathan Buckley in the corridors of the Collingwood Football Club late last year enabled one of football’s most seamless coaching renewals.
In stark contrast to the coach’s previous contract extension after one of the most exhaustive reviews in the club’s history, Buckley’s new two-year deal until the end of the 2021 season was a fait accompli following the Magpies’ narrow Grand Final loss to West Coast last September.
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McGuire told the Herald Sun the decision to extend Buckley’s deal — announced — had never been in doubt, and was as much about his leadership off the field as the rapid improvement on it.
“I walked past him one day late last year, (we were) literally walking past each other in the corridor, and I said to him, ‘We should look at the contract and get moving on that’,” McGuire said.
“He (Buckley) said, ‘Yeah’.
“Then in January ‘Ned’ (Buckley’s manager Craig Kelly) spoke to (chief executive) Mark Anderson.
“Walshy (general manager of football Geoff Walsh) made the recommendation, the CEO did the deal with the manager, and it was ratified by the board.
“It wasn’t like we sat down and went through the 10 commandments.
“It was always going to happen.
“It was just a matter of working through where we needed to get to — and it took all of five seconds.”
Buckley, 46, will coach Collingwood for at least a 10th season as he chases an elusive premiership after going close against the Eagles last year.
At 162 games, he is the club’s sixth longest-serving coach behind Jock McHale (714), Mick Malthouse (286), Phonse Kyne (272), Leigh Matthews (224) and Bob Rose (193). He will vault into fourth spot by the end of this deal.
McGuire said stability provided the best opportunity to winning a flag.
“That’s the ambition,” McGuire said.
“Stability is so important … there have been various times of instability at the club that almost brought it down at times.
“But the club is in a good place at the moment.”
Collingwood senior coach Nathan Buckley has accepted a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at the helm of the AFL team until at least the end of 2021.
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) February 27, 2019
CEO Mark Anderson made the announcement to the playing group this morning. pic.twitter.com/gPAl7OUzbN
Anderson delivered the news of Buckley’s new deal to the players early yesterday.
“The two-year extension reinforces the on-field progress and results our team have achieved but also recognises the key leadership role Nathan has played in developing our culture and the deep connections he has developed within the team and across our club,” he said.
Buckley said he was honoured by the show of faith.
“Sport evolves constantly. So must we,” he said. “It is a personal and professional privilege to be sharing in and, to a degree, shaping the evolution of a club that is very close to my heart.”
“It is a personal and professional privilege to be sharing in and, to a degree, shaping the evolution of a club that is very close to my heart.
“I thank Eddie, Mark and the hierarchy for their faith.”
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