AFL News: Carlton coach Michael Voss signs two-year contract extension

After leading Carlton to a Preliminary Final in 2023, Michael Voss has been rewarded with a new contract that will see him front the Blues through until the end of 2026.

Carlton has locked away coach Michael Voss, with the Blues leader to remain at the club until the end of the 2026 season.

It is a remarkable turnaround for Voss, going from murmurs of discontent and calls for his sacking mid-season to surging towards a preliminary final and being a kick away from a grand final berth.

Voss has been in charge of Carlton since the start of the 2022 season, leading the Blues to 26 wins, 20 losses and a draw in his 47 games.

There are heightened expectations on the Blues in 2024, with many predicting Carlton to be contending for a premiership this season.

Voss said he was excited for what the next three seasons would bring.

Carlton’s rise in 2023 has seen coach Michael Voss rewarded with a new two-year contract extension. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“We want to restore pride in members, fans, staff, everybody, to wear our monogram again. The connection this football club has with its people is unlike anything I have ever experienced across the four decades I have been part of this game,” Voss said.

“To experience that on a daily basis is a privilege. Whether that is walking into the Club, speaking with our members and supporters in the street or the countless messages of support I am lucky to get.

“As Carlton people we have all grown together in the last two years, we are building this the right way but also know we are only at the start of where we ultimately want to go.

“While we have taken significant steps forward in our progression as a club, our ambitions remain ahead of us. We’ve taken nothing for granted in our journey so far together – we’ll stay humble and continue to get after it, because we know that we have to go to another level.”

Carlton president Luke Sayers said it was exciting for the club to lock Voss in to an extension, as well as Brian Cook remaining in his chief executive role until the end of 2025.

“The Carlton Football Club has never been more united in who we are and what we stand for, Brian and Michael have been pivotal in establishing that,” Sayers said.

Carlton is expected to contend for a premiership in 2024. Photo by Michael Klein.

“It is not too much to say that two years ago our football club needed to rebuild its identity, fast forward to now and Carlton has a genuine strength in numbers, our vision never clearer and our hunger to earn success greater than ever.

“Brian has brought clarity to Carlton from day one, he is genuine in his relationships across all areas of the football club, and deeply cares for and understands that our people are central to what makes Carlton – as well as having incredible business acumen which has our club well on its way to sustainable, off-field success.

“Michael Voss is made to coach the Carlton Football Club – a coach of great intellect, who inspires those around him and every Carlton person to not just hope, but believe in what is possible if we remain committed and true to who we are, together.

“Great organisations are built around the quality of their people and they do not come any better than our CEO and AFL Senior Coach, we are delighted Brian and Michael will continue to lead us beyond 2024.”

Originally published as AFL News: Carlton coach Michael Voss signs two-year contract extension