West Coast life member Don Pyke picked to take the reins at his ‘spiritual home’

West Coast boss Trevor Nisbett is poised to depart by the end of the year, with dual Eagles premiership player Don Pyke to take the reins at the beleaguered club.

The club announced the appointment on Thursday, formalising Pyke as their fifth chief executive, now tasked with leading the team off the bottom of the table and back to powerhouse status.

Current Sydney Swans assistant coach Don Pyke will take over from Trevor Nisbett as the chief executive of the West Coast Eagles. Credit: Getty Images

In a statement, Eagles chairman Paul Fitzpatrick said the club was delighted to welcome Pyke back to his “spiritual home”, and pointed to his commerce studies and business credentials in backing the appointment.

“Don’s football pedigree is outstanding, having worked as a senior coach, player and serving as a Board director at our club,” Fitzpatrick said.

“His unique experience gives him unrivalled knowledge of all aspects of the club’s operations, both on field and off.

Don Pyke during his playing days for the Eagles.Credit: West Coast Eagles

“However, it is his knowledge of football operations that we know will prove invaluable as the club builds on its strong foundations to once again experience on-field success.”

Pyke is an Eagles life member and highly regarded in both football and business circles.

He was identified early as a lead candidate to replace Nisbett, who has held the chief executive role since 1999.

Pyke said he was honoured to be appointed chief executive at a “pivotal” time for the Eagles.

“I am very much looking forward to working with everyone across the entire organisation as we build towards the 2024 season,” he said.

Nisbett said he was “delighted” Pyke had been given the opportunity and looked forward to working with him through his assimilation “for as long as I am required”.

Sources close to the club told Nine News Perth Nisbett would leave by Christmas at the latest, having previously announced he would step away at the end of his contract in October 2024.

Pyke’s rich and successful history at West Coast extends past his 132-game playing career.

He served as a director in the early 2000s, before becoming an assistant coach under Adam Simpson.

The 54 year-old then headed east, coaching Adelaide for four seasons, including taking the Crows to the 2017 grand final.

He has spent the past three years in Sydney, serving as the Swans’ assistant coach under John Longmire.

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