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Gold Coast axes coach McKenna

Oct 01, 2014

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna has been axed.

The inaugural coach at the Suns, McKenna was told by the club they would not honour the final year of his contract.

The decision adds to the coaching merry-go-round that includes Adelaide’s search for a coach and uncertainty over James Hird’s tenure at Essendon.

The chairman of the Gold Coast Suns John Witheriff said McKenna had agreed the “time has come to part company”.

“Guy was naturally disappointed but, as he has done since being appointed in August 2008, he put the interests of the club and our future ambitions first,” Witheriff said.

Witheriff paid tribute to McKenna’s influential role in establishing the Gold Coast Suns.

“Guy is a man with tremendous values and he will leave us knowing his legacy is our club’s promising future.

“He has been paramount in installing our club’s values – Bold, Fresh, Relentless, Community and Dependable. Those values are the guiding principles which our people live by every day.

“The fact that the Gold Coast SUNS are now respected by our rivals in the AFL is due in no small part to the contribution Guy has made as our first senior coach,” Witheriff said in a statement at midday SA time.

McKenna admitted that while he would have preferred to continue as senior coach, he is proud that he leaves with the club in a strong position.

“It has been a privilege to have coached the Gold Coast Suns and I know the success the club aspires to achieve is not too far away.

“The club has every right to pursue a direction it believes will give it the best chance of continued improvement. Although I leave with a heavy heart, I am content that I have helped develop a unique group of players.

“I leave with some great memories and strong friendships and I know they will remain despite my early departure,” McKenna said.

Witheriff said the club will now take the steps needed to continue to build success and reaffirmed the club’s strong position on and off the field.

“We should be very proud of the club we have built so far. This year has seen growth in membership, sponsorship and crowds, while a very bright future beckons on field.”

Media reported last night that McKenna made a presentation to the Gold Coast board to state his case to be retained as the board conducted a comprehensive review of 2014.

Season 2014 was a good one for the Suns, until round 16 when their superstar captain Gary Ablett injured his shoulder and missed the rest of the season.

The Suns only win after that came against St Kilda.

The club finished 12th after earlier in the season seeming a finals certainty after seven wins in the first 10 rounds.

After fours seasons at the helm McKenna finished with a 24-64 win-loss record at the Suns.

Early favourite to replace McKenna is Essendon’s 2014 caretake coach Marck Thompson.

Thompson told the the Herald Sun Tuesday night he expected a call from the Suns.

“I’ve been told they are coming. I haven’t acted on it, but that’s what’s happening,’’ Thompson said.

At today’s media conference Witheriff denied Thompson had been approached – formally.

“I haven’t spoken to Bomber Thompson. There has been no one from the Gold Coast Suns speak to Bomber Thompson,” Witheriff said.

“Contrary to some media reports, Bomber Thompson hasn’t been to the Gold Coast and hasn’t visited our club.”

Witheriff said the Suns had yet to decide on a process to replace McKenna, who was the club’s foundation coach and had been in charge of all four seasons in the AFL.

He said the Suns board would decide on a structure to identify a new coach in coming days.

“We will act professionally, with respect and in a confidential way in setting up a process to find a new coach,” he said

 

 

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