St Kilda have made the extraordinary decision to sack coach Brett Ratten only months after handing him a new contract and days after the end of the AFL trade period.
It is understood Ratten was told on Thursday that his time at the Saints was up, with two years left on the contract extension he signed in July.
The Saints looked to be a top four contender early in the 2022 season, sitting 8-3 and in fourth position after 11 rounds, but after losing eight of their last 11 games, they crashed to 10th by the end of the campaign.
A decision to terminate Ratten's contract came after an internal club review - which included input from ex-North Melbourne coach David Noble.
Despite joining St Kilda last week, it's understood new football manager Geoff Walsh was not involved in the review as he is not due to start until November.
Ratten was appointed St Kilda's interim coach during the 2019 season after the resignation of Alan Richardson.
After the Saints won three of their final six games under Ratten's temporary stewardship, he was appointed as full-time coach after the conclusion of the 2019 campaign.
In 2020, Ratten led St Kilda to their first finals appearance since 2011 with a sixth-placed finish, as the team beat the Bulldogs in the qualifying final before losing to premiers Richmond in the semis.
Who will coach St Kilda in 2023?
With the Saints waiting until well after the AFL season has concluded to sack Ratten, the likes of Alastair Clarkson and Brad Scott are no longer available after joining North Melbourne and Essendon respectively.
Former Melbourne midfielder Adem Yze was a strong contender for both the Essendon and GWS roles and is likely to be a frontrunner.
Saints club legend Lenny Hayes recently returned to Moorabbin as an assistant coach and could be in the frame, as will Robert Harvey, who is currently a deputy at Hawthorn and has experience as interim boss at Collingwood.
Recently departed GWS caretaker coach Mark McVeigh will likely be a part of the interview process.
It is yet to be revealed whether former Grand Final coaches Nathan Buckley and Ross Lyon will throw their hat in the ring, but it would be unlikely to see Lyon return to the club.
