Outgoing St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has revealed when he found out he was likely going to be moved on from the club.
The Saints on Tuesday revealed they are parting ways with the senior coach and installing Brett Ratten as caretaker for the remainder of the season.
Richardson said after the Round 16 loss to North Melbourne in Tasmania, he had an honest discussion with club CEO Matt Finnis.
“The conversations with Matt have been really honest. I caught up with Matt after the Kangaroos game and it was then that there was some real frankness about the unlikelihood of going ahead,” he said.
The 54-year-old said he’s proud of the way his coaching staff handled what has been a tough 2019 season, dealing with a number of injuries to key players.
“I’m proud that myself and the coaching group have given it our all,” he said.
“It was a tough year last year for the footy club and for everyone involved and I’m really proud of the way the group responded in what’s been really challenging circumstances, the situations with Robbo (Dylan Roberton), Paddy (McCartin) and Jacko (Jack Steven), that’s tough when you work in a footy club and you understand how tight you need to be to have success, I’m really proud of that, but there is certainly a disappointment that you can’t finish things off.
“It’s not a job, it’s a journey. You’re here to win a flag.
“There's just a reality to it that you come into this business knowing that if you don't win often enough then things will change.”
St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis thanked Richardson for his six years at the club, but added the side wasn’t where it needed to be.
“On behalf of the St Kilda Football Club, I would like to thank Alan for his commitment and contribution over the last six years,” Finnis said.
“Alan has lead our football program with great respect and integrity.
“He took the club to the cusp of two finals series’ and showed great resilience as we’ve encountered setbacks in relation to availability of some of our key players.
“But ultimately after six years under Alan’s leadership, the team performance and the position we find ourselves isn’t where it needs to be.”
St Kilda faces the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.