Saints shock as footy boss quits after just three months due to personal reasons

Geoff Walsh has resigned as St Kilda’s football boss due to family reasons just three months after joining the club last November.

The Saints confirmed Walsh had stepped down from his position and will finish up at the end of this week. Davis Mission, who’d recently returned to St Kilda as its new performance manager, will fill the vacancy on an interim basis with assistance from club head of AFLW Tessie McManus.

Walsh originally joined St Kilda at the end of last season in a key shake-up alongside returning coach Ross Lyon after the shock sacking of Brett Ratten.

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Walsh and Lyon (Picture by Michael Klein).Source: News Corp Australia

“I have really enjoyed my time with the club but with my personal situation very recently changing, I now need to focus on addressing that, which unfortunately will preclude me from devoting the necessary time to a full-time role in football,” Walsh said.

“There are many wonderful and dedicated people here at St Kilda and it has been a pleasure getting to know them and sharing in their passion to help the club improve.

“In a short space of time, some significant change in systems, staff and structure have been undertaken in the football program and I have enjoyed playing my part in that. I expect 2023 will see the benefits of those changes.

“It has been a great experience building a working relationship with many talented people within the program, in particular Ross Lyon, who I know will be relentless in driving the program towards a strong future.

“While I will be stepping away, I will still be keeping a close eye on the Saints and staying in touch to support the club where possible.”

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Walsh was previously head of football at both Collingwood and North Melbourne and worked as a consultant at the Kangaroos last year as well as assisting Carlton in its review in 2021.

Saints chief executive Simon Lethlean thanked Walsh for his service and said he understood the decision.

“The club respects Geoff’s decision to do what is best for he and his family. We have been incredibly fortunate to acquire his expertise and skills, even if only for a short time,” Lethlean said.