Voss still the boss: New deal for Blues coach, CEO to stay
Michael Voss has inked a contract extension after the club’s incredible run to September last year
Carlton have approached former Essendon boss Xavier Campbell about being the club’s next chief executive.
As the Blues lick their wounds from their horror loss to Hawthorn – and another run of terrible injuries to star players – the club’s administration is looking to shore up its future off the field.
Brian Cook is set to follow president Luke Sayers in extending his stay at Carlton.
While there is no official commitment yet, sources said Cook had privately indicated a desire to continue as Blues chief executive until the end of 2025 – a 12-month extension to a contract that expires this year.
With a two-year extension for coach Michael Voss imminent and captain Patrick Cripps in the middle of a six-year contract, renewed commitments from Sayers and Cook would make the Blues as stable as they have been in a generation.
Sayers is entering his last year as a club executive under the constitution, but won unanimous board approval to approach members in a bid to extend the presidency he assumed in 2021.
Sayers hired Cook after taking over, with the pair last year standing firm in the face of fierce pressure amid calls to sack Voss.
The steady hands of Sayers and Cook have been profound at a club that was 4-8 after Round 13 last season.
But a nine-game winning streak and a Preliminary Final berth dramatically changed the landscape.
Sayers yesterday said he had “an obligation” to maintain his commitment.
“We have worked incredibly hard to build this new era for the Carlton Football Club. The hard work is not over though, and I feel I have an obligation to ensure we maintain the commitment we made to our members when I became president two years ago,” Sayers said.
“This additional 12 months will not only provide us with the stability to continue to achieve our strategic objectives, but it will help ensure that we are creating a Carlton that will be successful for the long term, on and off the field.
“In the last two years we have undergone significant change … Now, I feel I have a crucial job, to bed down those changes, and to provide support and stability to our CEO, our footy department and to all our coaches and players as they strive for success.”
Sayers will look to cement a further 12 months in office at the club’s Annual General Meeting next month.
Cook, who has been a club chief executive since 1990 at three clubs – West Coast, Geelong and Carlton – is widely regarded as one of the best administrators in the industry.
