SEN host Andy Maher has given his thoughts on Ross Lyon reportedly pulling out of the Carlton coaching race.
The Age reported on Thursday that Lyon had called Carlton president Luke Sayers to inform he did not wish to be the Blues’ next senior coach after being widely tipped to land the role.
Maher believes Wednesday’s announcement of a coaching sub-committee and Lyon’s refusal to go through a process may signify a new era at the Blues.
“This does show to me that there is a board in place at the Carlton Football Club that is saying we are going to have a proper process here,” he told SEN's Bob and Andy.
“The way Carlton have handled themselves in 2021, I can understand why they’d be the source of ridicule externally, I totally get that.
“Today, I think you can take the view that they are a club that is going to run itself properly.”
Maher had long seen the former Fremantle and St Kilda coach as the favourite to win the role and did not expect the Blues to go through a formal process.
“I’m led to believe there’d been a series of meetings between the two men, and that Luke Sayers was very keen on Ross Lyon,” Maher said.
“So much so, most of us were of the view that the deal had been done. If you’ve been listening to Ross Lyon’s language in the last few weeks, he’s speaking like he’s already got the (Carlton) polo on.
“I think Ross Lyon’s mind was, ‘I’ll do what I have to do and play what games I have to play, but I’m going to coach the Carlton footy club’.
“(Now) he’s decided he doesn’t want to go through the process, so he’s changed his mind.”
Maher’s co-host Bob Murphy believes Carlton must now run a proper procedure to find their next coach, saying “the fake process they were championing has gone”.
“This now has to be a proper process,” Murphy said.
Carlton has reportedly sounded out former North Melbourne coach Brad Scott as they continue their search for David Teague’s replacement.