Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and wife Tania announce separation

AFL legend and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and wife Tania have announced their decision to split after 18 years of marriage.

Magpies head coach Nathan Buckley and his wife Tania Buckley.

AFL legend and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and wife Tania have announced they’ve separated after 18 years of marriage.

The couple confirmed the marriage split in a joint statement to The Herald Sun on Friday afternoon.

Tania Buckley also posted the statement to her 1600 followers on Instagram.

The pair have indicated they will pursue a co-parenting arrangement for their sons Jett, 14, and Ayce, 12.

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After the most turbulent footy season in recent memory where Collingwood was forced to flee to Queensland to beat border restrictions and keep the 2020 AFL season alive, Buckley has also come under fire for his club’s trade period disaster which saw four star players, including midfield gun Adam Treloar, sold off in a fire sale.

The saddest detail of Buckley’s year from hell has been playing out behind the scenes, however, with his marriage breakdown after 20 years together.

The Herald Sun reports the couple mutually decided to separate in January, 11 months ago.

Nathan and Tania Buckley with their sons Ayce and Jett in 2018.

The couple have said in the released statement that the year took a toll on them and their relationship.

Buckley was away from his family for almost four months this year after being forced to isolate inside the AFL’s quarantine bubble in Queensland.

Buckley returned to Victoria in September after the Pies were knocked out of the AFL Finals.

“It has been a tough and challenging year for every family and for ours included,” the joint statement said.

“It is with the utmost love and respect for each other and a true commitment to our sons, that we have made a decision to separate in January.

“We remain dedicated parents and in the interests of our boys, we ask for our family to be given the privacy that is needed.

“We thank everyone in advance for understanding our request and for the unconditional love and support we have received throughout our marriage.”

The couple have asked for privacy for their family to deal with situation.