Magpies CEO ‘negotiating exit’ after ‘tumultuous’ period behind-the-scenes at club

Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly is “negotiating his exit” from the club, according to veteran journalist Caroline Wilson, with reports of “turbulent relationships” between a key Magpies figure and his colleagues.

Kelly, a long-time player-manager and Magpies premiership player, took the role in early 2023, succeeding Mark Anderson who resigned several months prior and then interim boss Graham Wright.

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Wright left the club in 2024 amid tensions with Kelly, and is now the CEO of Carlton.

According to Wilson, Kelly is interested in remaining at the Magpies in a part-time role to spearhead key upcoming business decisions regarding the MCG and its precinct.

He is currently on personal leave.

“Craig Kelly, the CEO and former premiership player, is starting to negotiate his exit from the Collingwood Football Club,” Wilson said on Seven’s The Agenda Setters.

“He’s away at the moment, celebrating his 60th birthday overseas, will miss the King’s Birthday MND game. The plan is Kelly could be gone by the end of this season, certainly in a full time (capacity).

“There are a lot of things he has run and overseen that I think he would like to remain charge of - they include a massive potential refurb(ishment) that’s coming in the coming years of the MCG and how it’s gonna involve the tenant clubs, and also a potential deal with Tennis Australia to take over parts of Collingwood’s Olympic Park precinct for their fan zone.”

Kelly’s initial years in the role were “tumultuous” and according to Wilson, he has had to manage difficult relationships between list boss Justin Leppitsch - who ascended from the assistant coaching ranks to replace Graham Wright - and several of his colleagues.

“He’s halfway through his fourth season, it’s been a tumultuous time since he took over,” Wilson said.

“Of course, a premiership was a very big part of that regime. Then the famous fallout with his great mate and footy boss Graham Wright, who then went over to run Carlton. Early days it was tumultuous for him too - his style was not that of your new-age CEO, to put it mildly. That has changed in recent times.

“You’ve got a guy like list boss Justin Leppitsch who has turbulent relationships with a lot of people around the football club.

“So a lot to manage, a relatively new president, a new footy boss in Charlie Gardiner who I think would be part of a group who might be ascending to take over that role (CEO), but a couple of big names outside the club that we’re trying to find out about too.”

The decision to depart the club is Kelly’s.

“But I don’t think his relationship with Graham Wright was well-handled,” Wilson added.

“I don’t think the year that followed the premiership was well-handled either.”

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