By Daniel Cherny and Jake Niall
Carlton president Luke Sayers says the Blues expect to make the finals next year and will hunt “the best, most experienced coach” to replace David Teague.
The Blues on Thursday sacked coach Teague after an independent review of their football operations found there had been confusion around the team’s game plan and an unhealthy focus on offence to the detriment of defence.
Sayers confirmed that after weeks of deliberations, the club’s board made the final call to sack Teague on Wednesday night.
Club sources said Teague was called to an in-person meeting on Thursday morning with chief executive Cain Liddle, president Luke Sayers and football boss Brad Lloyd and told of his fate. He had been contracted through 2022 and will get a payout, though The Age has not yet confirmed the details.
Sacked: David Teague.Credit: Getty Images
Sources close to the club said Blues players were made aware of the news by Teague on Thursday morning. Staff were told via a video meeting just after 10am.
In a letter to Carlton members sent around midday on Thursday, Sayers also confirmed four changes to the club board, including the return of Blues great Greg Williams.
Assistant coach Dale Amos joins fellow assistants John Barker and Brent Stanton in departing the club, with Amos’ contract not being renewed.
On Wednesday, Teague had addressed players and staff in person. He was choked up and emotional and told the group he did not know if he would be in the job next season, but wished them success even if he was no longer coach.
Teague, 40, a former Blues best and fairest winner as a player, had rejoined the club as an assistant at the end of 2017, replacing Brendon Bolton as caretaker in the middle of 2019.
He would ultimately coach the Blues in 50 games, finishing with a 21-29 win-loss record.
Teague had been resigned to his fate in recent weeks, which had been on the cards since Carlton announced the review mid-season. He finished exit interviews on Wednesday.
Sayers’ email to members explained the key findings of the review, which helped seal Teague’s fate.
“The review has found that while the coaching group had the expertise required, it had been unable to have an effective impact on a playing group that is required to deliver results at the elite level,” Sayers wrote.
“It was identified that there had been confusion associated with the game plan at times and on-field, the team has under-delivered in its ability to consistently defend, win the contest and apply pressure.
“This was highlighted, but not limited to, an overt, consistent focus on offence at a detriment to the defensive side of the game.
“While the easier option would have been to wait a further 12 months in the hope these deficiencies would change, the in-depth data gained over a significant period of time as part of this review process left no doubt that such an option would not be in the best interests of the club. As such, it would have been irresponsible to ignore the decisions that had to be made.
“These decisions are incredibly difficult to make, and while we understand some will not agree with them, we entered this process knowing that if we refuse to act on decisions solely because they were difficult, we would be ignoring our responsibility to the club, our members and our supporters.
“There can be absolutely no denying that David Teague gave everything as senior coach of our football club. He demonstrated care and commitment on a consistent basis, and he never wavered from wanting to make the Carlton Football Club a better place.”
On Wednesday, Alastair Clarkson formally announced he would not be coaching in 2022, having been courted by the Blues.
Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is the strong, early favourite to take over from Teague.
Speaking at a virtual press conference on Thursday afternoon alongside Liddle but without Teague, Sayers said the Blues expected to make the eight next season.
“Our expectation, based on the list we have, is that we are looking to make finals in 2022,” Sayers said.
Sayers did not directly answer whether the club had already been in contact with Lyon, but said that he was regularly speaking with a host of people in the football industry and that it would be remiss of him not to be doing so.
“It won’t surprise anyone that, come tomorrow, I’ll be in the market looking for the best, most experienced coach to bring the potential of our playing list to the fore. And that will kick off in earnest tomorrow,” Sayers said.
Carlton had committed to informing their members first of any findings of the club’s football department review, but news of Teague’s axing broke before any communication had been issued.
Amid widespread criticism about their handling of Teague and the review process, Sayers said that it had been Teague’s preference not to bring his future to a head until the end of the season.
But Sayers – a director since 2012 – said he accepted responsibility for the club’s on-field struggles over the past decade, as well as issues with the review process itself.
“There has been some feedback given to the board about how it was conducted, which I cop.”
Williams will become football director, replacing Chris Judd. Former president Mark LoGiudice will also be replaced while club matriarch Jeanne Pratt and Christ Townshend will also retire from their positions on the board.
Analytics and data expert Tim Lincoln, communications strategist Lahra Carey and J.P. Morgan chairman Robert Priestly will all join the board alongside Williams.
Liddle and football chief Lloyd will remain in their positions.
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