Blues footy boss to move on, seek new challenges
OUTGOING Carlton general manager of football Andrew McKay aims to diversify his football resume elsewhere next year, content in the belief his successor will have a club “on track” for future success.
Having just missed out on the AFL’s football operations role to Steve Hocking late last year, McKay, 47, is eager to develop his experiences in a new environment.
He confirmed yesterday he would leave after seven years in the role, saying he felt the time was right for him to move on to the next challenge.
The Blues will immediately start hunting for his replacement.
“I feel as though both in the women’s and men’s (football) space, everything is on track,” McKay, 47, said.
“I would like to explore my options in footy. I’ve been here for seven years as an administrator, and I was here for 11 years as a player, and the Carlton environment is the only footy environment I know.
“I need to experience other environments to enable me to develop further.
“I am really open-minded to new professional challenges out there within the industry and more broadly in time to come, but I firmly believe that Carlton’s football programs are now in a good position and the club is on track to get back to sustained success.”
McKay played 244 games for the Blues between 1993 and 2003, and was a key member of the 1995 flag side. He is also a Blues Hall of Fame member.
Having worked for a period at the AFL as AFL game analysis manager and chairman of the match review panel, he has been in his current role with Carlton since 2011, which has coincided with a period of great change in terms of its playing list.
He stressed he would always love the club that has been his home for most of his adult life.
“I’ve still got a very emotional attachment to this place,” he said. “I will be around until the end of the season. Making the decision now helps me to explore opportunities and it also helps the club find someone to replace me.”
McKay spoke to the players and the football staff about his decision at noon yesterday, before detailing the reasons for his decision to the rest of the club’s staff.
“A few more wins would have been nice,” he said of his time in the role. “There was never a dull moment.”
Blues chief executive Cain Liddle praised McKay for his contribution: “In my short time at Carlton, I have been lucky enough to see first-hand the great impact Macca has had on the club through his tireless work ethic, his strong relationships and his passion for Carlton.
“He is a Carlton person through and through.”