BREAKING: Simon Lethlean to depart as Saints CEO

Simon Lethlean is set to depart his role as St Kilda chief executive operator, effective immediately.

The Saints confirmed the club and Lethlean have mutually agreed to part ways, with Thursday to be his last day at the Moorabbin.

In a statement released on Thursday morning, St Kilda said its board and Lethlean came to the decision that “the demands of the club and the requirements and focusses of the role of the CEO have shifted and it is now an appropriate time to look for a new leader.”

Watch Australia v West Indies on Kayo Sports. Every Test, ODI and T20I Live with no ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Lethlean, who joined the Saints in 2017 after a stint as the AFL’s football operations manager, spent two years as St Kilda’s head of football before joining the executive ranks.

Saints president Andrew Bassat thanked Lethlean for his service to the club.

“Under Simon’s leadership, the club has seen significant improvement on and off the field, including record membership and sponsorship levels in the club’s 150th year, and a top 8 finish last season following the implementation of the recommendations of the football review,” Bassat said.

“Simon also played the vital role in successfully navigating the club through the COVID pandemic, which included the club returning to finals in 2020 for the first time since 2011.

“The club has undergone significant changes as a result of the 2022 Football Program Review which highlighted the need to elevate our football department and place football at the heart of everything we do, which we hope will see St Kilda competing for premierships before too long.

“Simon and the board share the view that a new CEO would be best placed to take the club forward.

“We wish Simon all the best and thank him for his commitment to the club and the contribution he made to St Kilda and our community.”

Current chief operating officer Carl Dilena will take over as interim CEO.

“It is always a privilege to work in football, and I have had a great six years at St Kilda. I have loved every role, from GM of football, chief operating officer and as CEO,” Lethlean said.

“I have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic people, and the members of the club can feel very proud of the commitment and hard work of all the staff and players at the club. It is an organisation with a lot of heart, and I want to thank past and present staff and players for all their support.

“The club has a new coach and a new strategy, and I have agreed with the president that it is time for the club to seek a new CEO.”

It continues a period of considerable off-field change at the Saints over the last 12 months including the return of senior coach Ross Lyon and arrival of list bosses Graeme Allan and Stephen Silvagni amid the departure of several key figures.

In the first season back at the helm, Lyon against the odds guided the Saints to finals in 2023.

The club last October confirmed David Mission had become the Saints’ permanent executive general manager of football after taking over the role on a temporary basis on the eve of last season.