Eddie McGuire to step down as Collingwood Magpies president at the end of 2021

Eddie McGuire has dropped a massive bombshell, revealing he would step down as the president of the Collingwood Magpies.

Eddie McGuire has dropped a bombshell on the AFL, revealing that he will step down as the president of the Collingwood Magpies at the end of the 2021 season.

McGuire has held the position since October 29 1998, meaning he will step down after 23 years in the role.

McGuire said he is giving a 13-month notice period in order to avoid giving a “hospital handball” to his successor. He said he wanted to make the process a “Barack Obama style transition rather than a Donald Trump experience” in reference to the US President who continues to dispute the 2020 election result.

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McGuire revealed he was set to step down from the position at the club’s annual members forum when he and the Magpies board were expected to deal with the trade period which saw Adam Treloar, Jaidyn Stephenson and Tom Phillips moved on.

The Advertiser’s Reece Homfray tweeted that McGuire was “choking back tears” and that “only his wife and sons knew before making his announcement tonight.”

“Back in 1998 it was my time to stand up for our beloved Collingwood, instead of calling on others to do something for our club, they turned my way and I’m proud that I answered,” McGuire said.

“I have given everything I have to this position and now it is time for the club going forward, I will stand down at the end of next year and spend the rest of my time as president setting up a new era of Collingwood.

“I have given commitments to sponsors, governments and many people that I will remain at the helm in 2021 and do so with the responsibility of providing a smooth transition and a springboard into the future for our club in its senior leadership position.

“I had planned to make this announcement at the end of the year but COVID put paid to many finally laid plans, in conjunction with the change in direction of my media life and the timing of my son’s schooling ending, the time was right and future strong for our club for me to make this call.”

Eddie McGuires voice cracked as he revealed he was standing down.

Eddie McGuire gave his all for the club.

McGuire said he plans to be involved in choosing his successor but admitted that “many have shown an interest for when it suited, not necessarily when it suited us”.

“I can assure you, there is never a perfect time to be a president of a football club and certainly not emerging from a pandemic,” he said.

“So I won’t be handing off a hospital handball, that is why I’m making this announcement tonight, to give interested parties or more to the point people we are interested in, time to get their affairs in order and for me and my board to have the opportunity of providing a Barack Obama style transition rather than a Donald Trump experience.

“The club is in great shape, we continue to evolve and push ourselves and I can assure you this will not be a farewell tour on my part. I am anxious to push reform, continue to build this club and win the premiership in 2021.”

McGuire added that he would continue to push the club in his final year in charge, promoting equality initiatives, “the fight against racism”, the redevelopment of the Holden Centre, the development of grassroots football and health initiatives including “a world leading play in medicine, rehabilitation and concussion research and telehealth”.

Eddie McGuire has announced he'll step down as president at the end of 2021.

Watch the emotional address at the 2020 Member Forum on Monday. pic.twitter.com/44TS3a3EmW

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) December 14, 2020

The news comes after McGuire and Luke Darcy signed off the Triple M breakfast slot for the last time on November 27 with The Hot Breakfast ending after 11 years on air.

Eddie McGuire, Luke Darcy and Rosie Walton sign off from radio.

McGuire’s tenure at Collingwood had been under fire in recent times after Magpies director David Galbally called for him to stand down from the club last month.

The lawyer said “the Collingwood administration has lost the plot” after trade dramas, including the club needing to pay $1.5 million of Adam Treloar’s Western Bulldogs contract over the next five year, and off-field issues rear their ugly heads.

“You can be in charge of a club for far too long,” Galbally said. “There are plenty of examples, and they all lose sight of what is going on and get consumed with the belief that the club is theirs.

“They really need a new administration at Collingwood. Full stop.

“Eddie needs to step down. He can’t stay there forever. He’s not there for life. And it’s not healthy for the club to have the same person serve in that role for as long as he has.”

McGuire downplayed the report on radio the next day.

“It’s a big story – the Herald Sun, I got past the Harvey Norman ad on the back page to get into it,” McGuire said Triple M’s Hot Breakfast.

“They’ve got the photo of me being passionate at the cheer squad (with the headline) ‘time to go’.

“There’s not much on today, (author of the story) Mick Warner has obviously got the teledex out rung around and found David Galbally. David’s had his say, good luck to him.”

It’s hard to imagine Eddie McGuire not being the Collingwood president.

But less than a month later, McGuire revealed he was moving on from the role.

Comedian Peter Helliar took to Twitter to pay tribute to McGuire.

“In the mid 90s Collingwood was a mess. Uncompetitive, lost our swagger on/off field. Eddie McGuire came along & rebuilt the club finally delivering the 2010 flag. Yes he put himself in the firing line plenty of times but his passion, work ethic for the Pies can never be denied,” he wrote.

Eddie McGuire has been super for Collingwood. But it is time. What the fans and the club need.

— Ashley Browne (@hashbrowne) December 14, 2020

Eddie McGuire will stand down as Pies president at the end of 2021.

"I have no more groups to offend."

— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) December 14, 2020

There are some jobs that, when someone leaves, their shoes are near impossible to fill. Love him or hate him, Eddie McGuire has been incredible for the brand, business and on-field success of the @CollingwoodFC. His successor will inherit one of sports toughest acts to follow

— Chris Anstey (@ChrisAnstey13) December 14, 2020

This is the right call. McGuire turned the Pies from a basket case back into a powerhouse but 23 years is a long time and it’s in the club’s best interest to have fresh blood and a fresh voice at the top. https://t.co/jLwisn2hHP

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) December 14, 2020

McGuire was only re-elected for a three-year term in February this year.

His 23-year stint will be the second longest in the club’s 128 year history, behind only Harry Curtis' 26-year run between 1924 and 1950 which included six premierships.

Under McGuire’s watch, Collingwood made grand final in 2002, 2003, 2010, 2011 and 2018 but claimed the premiership once in 2010.

McGuire hugs Josh Thomas after the 2018 Grand Final loss.