Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless says club wishes 'legend' Paul Roos all the best at Melbourne

SYDNEY Swans chairman Richard Colless has moved to diffuse the rift between he and former coach Paul Roos.

SYDNEY Swans chairman Richard Colless has moved to diffuse the rift between he and former coach Paul Roos.

Last week a "devastated" Roos was angered by Colless' suggestions the new Melbourne coach was attempting to recruit a player from the Swans' junior academy - which Roos had headed up since handing over the reins to John Longmire and then joining Melbourne.

In an article in The Daily Telegraph earlier this month, Colless said Roos would "massively devalue his standing at the club" by attempting to nab players from the academy to the Demons.

Speaking on Fox Footy's On The Couch last week, Roos said he had emailed Colless and demanded an apology on the club's website.

Roos said he didn't understand the level of anger coming out of the Swans after he took the Demons job.

Roos accused of trampling on legacy

He also made it clear it Swans assistant coach Stuart Dew had applied for a position at Melbourne, and he had not sussed out the Sydney assistant in a bid to raid his former club.

On Sunday night, Colless did respond on his club's website via a statement, saying he wished to "clarify" his position and that of his club.

READ RICHARD COLLESS' FULL STATEMENT BELOW

Colless did not apologise, but instead wrote in glowing terms of the man who led the club to its first premiership in 72 years.

Colless, who will finish his 20-year reign at the club at the end of this year, said the Swans were "delighted" Roos had accepted the challenge of coaching the Demons.

And he hopes the pair can soon speak to thrash out any ill feeling that may exist.

"Let me make it clear, that part of my role as chairman is to protect our players, coaches and support staff and do what is in the absolute best interest of the Sydney Swans," Colless said.

Roos gutted by Swans animosity

"I remain resolute about that and I would expect everyone in the football community to accept that.

"For Paul, I can say that we all wish him the very best at Melbourne and want him to know he will always be held in the highest regard by our club, with which he will be forever linked and at which he will be always welcome.

"I have tried to contact Paul and would be very willing to sit down with him and clear the air as I consider him a close friend and a legend of our Club."

Richard Colless' full statement:

I wish to clarify my personal position and that of the Sydney Swans Football Club in regard to media reports and speculation surrounding Paul Roos.

First let me say we are delighted for Paul that he is back as a senior coach and that he has accepted the challenge of coaching one of code’s oldest and most traditional clubs. There is no better person to take the reins. This is a view shared by the Board, CEO and Football Department.

I want to say that over the nearly 20 years Paul and I have worked together at the Swans there has been no greater advocate of his contribution on multiple fronts than me.

I have consistently stated and still firmly believe that Paul has been one of the most influential people at the club in my time here. It is a position I shared publicly when Paul’s new role was first announced, and again during an interview ‘On the Couch’ just a few weeks ago.

Paul was one of the key architects of the modern Swans, which is regarded today as one of the leading sporting organisations in the country.

We also acknowledge the critical role Roos played in establishing the QBE Sydney Swans Academy, which today is recognised as one of the leaders in its field in the country.

Let me make it clear, that part of my role as Chairman is to protect our players, coaches and support staff and do what is in the absolute best interest of the Sydney Swans. I remain resolute about that and I would expect everyone in the football community to accept that.

For Paul, I can say that we all wish him the very best at Melbourne and want him to know he will always be held in the highest regard by our club, with which he will be forever linked and at which he will be always welcome.

I have tried to contact Paul and would be very willing to sit down with him and clear the air as I consider him a close friend and a legend of our Club.