St Kilda CEO Simon Lethlean will depart Moorabbin, effective immediately, with the former AFL employee and the Saints agreeing to part company after six seasons together.
As first reported by Nine News' Tom Morris, the club and chief "mutually agreed to part ways" ahead of the long weekend.
Former North Melbourne CEO and Board Member Carl Dilena will step into the role on an interim basis.
Simon Lethlean will today depart as @stkildafc CEO.
The club and him have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately. @9NewsMelb @wwos @FootyonNine
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) January 24, 2024
Following a 14-year career at AFL House, one that involved the 48-year-old working in the legal department, broadcasting, fixturing, and game development, Lethlean left in disgrace following reports of "inappropriate relationships" with a subordinate staffer.
Making his way to Linton Street ahead of the 2018 season, Lethlean first acted as the club's General Manager following the departure of Ameet Bains to the Bulldogs.
The law graduate then ascended to the role of Chief Executive Officer following an in-house reshuffle that saw his predecessor Matt Finnis depart at the end of the 2022 season.
St Kilda confirmed the move on Friday morning, with club President Andrew Bassat thanking Lethlean on his way out.
โUnder 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,โ Bassat toldย Saints Media.
โSimon 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.
โThe 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.
โSimon and the Board share the view that a new CEO would be best placed to take the club forward.
โWe 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.โ
Lethlean added his own statement, expressing that the club had a strategy moving forward, one that he would step outside of.
โIt 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 Football, Chief Operating Officer and as CEO,โ Lethlean said.
โI 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.
โThe 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.โ
Lethlean joins the list of recent departures from several portfolios at Moorabbin, with the likes of Brett Ratten (head coach), David Rath (footy boss), Geoff Walsh (Head of Football), James Gallagher (Head of List Management), Chris Toce (recruiting), Nick Walsh (High Performance and Conditioning) and Lenny Hayes and Jarryd Roughead (assistants and mentoring) all exiting since the close of the 2022 season.
