St Kilda president Andrew Bassat and chief executive Simon Lethlean will front a media conference at Moorabbin at 11.30am, explaining why they have sacked coach Brett Ratten.
The Saints made the shock axing on Thursday, ending Ratten’s tenure after four seasons in charge. He had been reappointed for a further two years in July, but the Saints missed the finals, sparking a major club review, the panel including David Noble, who was sacked as North Melbourne coach earlier this year.
They lost eight of their last 11 games, having been firmly in the top-four mix at the midpoint of the season.
It was assumed Ratten, 51, was safe, having been reappointed less than 100 days ago, but the Saints believed they needed major change. The Saints made the finals only once – in 2020 when they beat the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final – under Ratten.
He took over as caretaker coach midway through the 2019 season when Alan Richardson was sacked, and has had three full seasons in charge.
Ratten, also sacked by Carlton in 2012, was a well-liked figure at the club.
The Saints had a quiet trade period, declaring they had kept their “powder dry” after missing out on free agent Jordan De Goey.
They now begin a hunt for a new coach. Melbourne assistant Adem Yze, having fallen just short of winning the Essendon and Greater Western Sydney coaching roles, is likely to be a candidate, while club great Robert Harvey, an assistant with Hawthorn, is expected to be sounded out.
They may also check on Luke Beveridge, who will soon open contract renegotiations with the Western Bulldogs. The 2016 premiership coach is off contract after the 2023 season.
Ross Lyon, who led the Saints into three grand finals, before leaving the club in tumultuous circumstances after the 2011 season, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, while former Essendon coach James Hird is likely to be sounded out.
The Saints are on the hunt for a new coach after sacking Brett Ratten.Credit:Joe Armao
But one assistant coach who won’t be in the frame is Daniel Giansiracusa, with the Bombers announcing on Friday that he had re-signed for another two years and will form part of new coach Brad Scott’s off-field team.
“While this year has been challenging, we have such an exciting opportunity to reset and move forward under Brad’s guidance,” Giansiracusa said in a club statement.
“Brad has a clear direction for the club and we are both aligned in our coaching philosophies and I look forward to working with him to bring out the best in our playing group.
More to come
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