SHOCKING DEPARTURE: It was never his plan to leave.

Star midfielder Josh Daicos says outgoing general manager of football Brendon Bolton is a huge loss to Collingwood as the club undergoes a shake-up of its football department.Collingwood Magpies | AFL Team News, Scores & Schedules | CODE Sports

Earlier this month, esteemed football administrator Graham Wright joined the Blues as part of a succession plan which will see him become the club’s next chief executive officer.

Wright had previously spent five months travelling around the US and Europe on extended leave after his resignation was not accepted by club president Jeff Browne last December.

Bolton was tasked with stepping into Wright’s role this season after serving as the club’s director of coaching and as a backline assistant coach during the Pies’ premiership campaign in 2023.

The former Carlton mentor will move to St Kilda to take up an assistant coaching role under Ross Lyon.

Speaking to Wide World of Sports following an activation with Sportsbet at the Caulfield Cup, Daicos stated that the club was embracing the changes to its coaching structure.

“Change can be tough, especially when key figures depart,” he said.

However, Daicos was particularly sad to see Bolton go.

“He’s done such an amazing job in making the club a better place,” Daicos said.

“When Bolts first came to the club, he was really important to me as someone who to this day I still go to talk to.

“He’s just always been a positive figure to have around the club. He’ll definitely be sorely missed.AFL 2024: Leigh Montagna says Collingwood Magpies faces early elimination  final against Geelong Cats, struggles, drop off, injuries, preview, latest  news

“But on the flip side of that, he leaves a void for someone to step up to the challenge and fill.

“It’s really exciting as a club to have people ready to step up into those roles.”

Bolton arrived at Olympic Park alongside former AFL coach Justin Leppitsch in September 2021 to support the then-newly appointed senior coach Craig McRae.

In Wright’s absence, both Bolton and list manager Leppitsch changed their positions to share his duties. This reportedly caused a rift between them.

“That’s so incorrect,” Leppitsch told AFL Trade Radio last week.

“This year in a lot of ways we didn’t work together, we had different roles. We shared the same hardships of being overworked at times. We actually have a really good relationship. We’re great.”

Adding to the Pies’ off-season woes, Browne has also announced that he will not seek re-election for president after three years in the job.

The club is still searching for a permanent footy general manager to replace Bolton after failed attempts to lure Port Adelaide’s Chris Davies and Brisbane’s Danny Daly.

It is understood that the club is now pursuing Adelaide’s Justin Reid and Melbourne Storm footy boss Frank Ponissi.

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