Saints axe Ratten as club seeks more drive
ST KILDA president Andrew Bassat says sacked coach Brett Ratten was blindsided to learn on Sunday night he was in the gun less than 100 days after he signed a two-year contract extension.
Ratten spent hours with Bassat and St Kilda chief executive Simon Lethlean pleading his case to keep his job.
The 51-year-old waited at the club’s Moorabbin headquarters on Thursday night as the board ratified the decision to sack him.
The Saints conceded handing Ratten a contract extension in July was a mistake but said it would be a far bigger mistake to double down on that decision and retain Ratten.
“Brett deserved the chance to hear our views, and Brett deserved a chance to respond and put his case forward, which he did very well. The board agonised over the decision last night,” Lethlean said.
Lethlean said the club had “appropriate protections” in Ratten’s contract to ensure his payout wouldn’t drastically impact next year’s soft cap.
The new chief executive said Ratten still had the support of the players, but the forensic review determined they needed a new leadership style to contend for a second premiership.
“We spoke to our players this morning, who I would say are saddened by this,” Lethlean said.
“But they understand that they need to dig a bit deeper now. They need to turn their minds to how they can get better, and we’re going to provide a football program that asks more of them.”
Club legend Lenny Hayes has signed as midfield coach while the Saints are also in the market for a new forwards coach. In his stint with St Kilda from 2019-22 Ratten had 34 wins and 34 losses.