News Saints boss Simon Lethlean to depart club

[Ice-Wolf]

Saints boss Simon Lethlean to depart club​

St Kilda chief executive Simon Lethlean is departing the Saints after little more than 12 months in the position.

Two sources familiar with the situation, who are not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed Lethlean’s departure to this masthead.

Ross Lyon had no say in CEO exit, St Kilda president explains

St Kilda president Andrew Bassat has explained the decision to part ways with chief executive Simon Lethlean, saying senior coach Ross Lyon had “no agency” in that decision.

www.theage.com.au

So who'd he screw this time?

In the statement, St Kilda President Andrew Bassat thanked Lethlean but said new direction was needed.

“Under Simon’s leadership, the club has seen significant improvement on and off the field, including record membership and sponsorship levels in the club’s 150th year, and a top-eight finish last season following the implementation of the recommendations of the football review,” Bassat said.

So everything is going in the right direction but Simon has to go.

 

[Chuckie357]

Good. * off

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Good. * off

Does seem to stink of Gill not being around anymore to keep him in a job. I wonder if there will be an exodus around other clubs of Gill backed appointments.

 

[JackFlash]

Obviously butted heads with Ross who is the boss of St.Kilda now.

 

[Planet14]

Obviously butted heads with Ross who is the boss of St.Kilda now.

Both wanted to harass the same woman.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Obviously butted heads with Ross who is the boss of St.Kilda now.

Maybe they polled the staff?

 

[Truckosaurus]

Oh good, we're all thinking the same thing.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Departing "immediately" hey...

 

[Tandy]

They can word it how they want. He's been a hard fail.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

Club Statement: Simon Lethlean to depart Club

St Kilda Football Club and Chief Executive Officer Simon Lethlean have agreed to part ways.

The Club’s Board and Lethlean have come to a decision that the demands of the Club and the requirements and focusses of the role of the CEO have shifted and it is now an appropriate time to look for a new leader.

St Kilda President Andrew Bassat thanked Lethlean for his contribution to the Club since joining in the 2018 pre-season as General Manager of Football, before being elevated to Chief Operating Officer then Chief Executive Officer in late 2022.

“Under Simon’s leadership, the Club has seen significant improvement on and off the field, including record membership and sponsorship levels in the club’s 150th year, and a top 8 finish last season following the implementation of the recommendations of the football review,” Bassat said.

“Simon also played the vital role in successfully navigating the club through the COVID pandemic, which included the Club returning to Finals in 2020 for the first time since 2011.

“The Club has undergone significant changes as a result of the 2022 Football Program Review which highlighted the need to elevate our Football Department and place football at the heart of everything we do, which we hope will see St Kilda competing for Premierships before too long.

“Simon and the Board share the view that a new CEO would be best placed to take the club forward.

“We wish Simon all the best and thank him for his commitment to the club and the contribution he made to St Kilda and our community.”

Lethlean said he was very appreciative of the opportunity to lead the St Kilda Football Club in both football and administration roles over the past six years.

“It is always a privilege to work in football, and I have had a great six years at St Kilda. I have loved every role, from GM Football, Chief Operating Officer and as CEO,” Lethlean said.

“I have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic people, and the members of the Club can feel very proud of the commitment and hard work of all the staff and players at the Club. It is an organisation with a lot of heart, and I want to thank past and present staff and players for all their support.

“The Club has a new coach and a new strategy, and I have agreed with the President that it is time for the Club to seek a new CEO.”

Current Chief Operating Officer Carl Dilena will assume the role of acting CEO. Dilena served 12 years as a Board Member of the North Melbourne Football Club, including seven years as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer prior to joining St Kilda in late 2022.

 

[LordLucifer]

Left AFL HQ in disgrace, now moving out of the Saints hierarchy for reasons yet to be determined.

Always came across as slimey & creepy, was probably a good fit for the Saints actually.

 

[Tandy]

Left AFL HQ in disgrace, now moving out of the Saints hierarchy for reasons yet to be determined.

Always came across as slimey & creepy, was probably a good fit for the Saints actually.

Yeah he's done well to milk the teet for this long. Off to the private sector to get paid 6 figures for something he doesn't deserve

 

[JackFlash]

Maybe they polled the staff?

Maybe they did? But others have left before Lethlean in recent times, perhaps Ross really is the Boss and it appears to be a management problem that has come to a head? In most companies employees have left their jobs because they are frustrated with their manager or company leadership. Lethlean might've been tapped on the shoulder? Lyon appears not to be as autocratic as he was at Freo, so something didn't gel between the two of them.

 

[Iago]

You can only have one Rooster in the henhouse.

 

[Ice-Wolf]

so something didn't gel between the two of them.

Maybe they "polled" the staff?

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Yeah he's done well to milk the teet for this long. Off to the private sector to get paid triple figures for something he doesn't deserve

Triple figures? Hundreds of dollars a year?!

 

[Tandy]

Triple figures? Hundreds of dollars a year?!

Fixed. I was thinking in my head triple figures with a K on the end.

 

[Chuckie357]

Left AFL HQ in disgrace, now moving out of the Saints hierarchy for reasons yet to be determined.

Always came across as slimey & creepy, was probably a good fit for the Saints actually.

That’s rich coming from biggest slime balls of all time with their dodgy $$ dealings

 

[Longmembrey]

Left AFL HQ in disgrace, now moving out of the Saints hierarchy for reasons yet to be determined.

Always came across as slimey & creepy, was probably a good fit for the Saints actually.

Gives real Luke Sayers vibes

 

[Atomboy]

You can only have one Rooster in the henhouse.

“Rosster” ?

 

[Red Bull]

Love the Saints
They ain’t no fluke …

 

[Iago]

“Rosster” ?

Crossed my mind. Didn't want to be accused of a dad joke, despite it being the perfect opportunity.

 

[dothebowdenshuffle]

I'm very surprised he kept getting promoted, eventually to CEO, as his record wasn't flash. Tough talk for little result. From the time back in late 2019 recruiting of 5 free agents, who as a whole have underachieved. Dan Butler the only clear winner. Few flashy moments for Hill, Zac Jones perennially injured. Dougal Howard

20

Dougal Howard

Age

28

Ht

199cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.9

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

3.1

3star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.4

3star

MG

176.2

3star

D

9.9

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

1.4

1star

M

4.7

4star

T

0.6

1star

MG

171.9

3star

D

9.0

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.8

5star

MG

133.8

3star

depth key back. Ryder retired after 2 reasonable years. But rumours of friction with Ross Lyon were about 6 months back so Ross was always going to win that stoush

On CPH2483 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[THE EQUALIZER]

I wonder who's the unfortunate soul, currently working for the AFL, will be tapped on the shoulder and told you've just become St.Kilda's CEO.

 

[The 747]

I'm very surprised he kept getting promoted, eventually to CEO, as his record wasn't flash. Tough talk for little result. From the time back in late 2019 recruiting of 5 free agents, who as a whole have underachieved. Dan Butler the only clear winner. Few flashy moments for Hill, Zac Jones perennially injured. Dougal Howard depth key back. Ryder retired after 2 reasonable years. But rumours of friction with Ross Lyon were about 6 months back so Ross was always going to win that stoush

On CPH2483 using BigFooty.com mobile app

Failing upwards is pretty common in the AFL industry.