Dan Taylor to replace Paul Guerra after shock sacking
Updated ,first published
Melbourne admitted naming Paul Guerra’s successor as CEO weeks before sacking him on Tuesday, but did not explain the reason for the decision.
Chairman Steven Smith confirmed to the media on Wednesday that the club had contacted new CEO Stan manager Dan Taylor up to two weeks before Guerra was dumped.
But Smith declined to comment on questions about the specific reasons for Guerra’s dismissal.
“This is something I’m not going to give any specific details about,” he said.
Guerra was officially dismissed on Tuesday after just seven months in the job; Smith has repeatedly refused to make a statement, citing “loss of trust” and “deterioration of relations” with the board.
“There was basically nothing specific,” Smith said of Guerra’s departure.
“It was a general lack of confidence in his ability to lead the club and a deterioration in relations with the board.”
Pressed on what this truly meant, Smith abandoned further investigation.
“I can’t ruin relations,” he said.
Although Smith said he had expressed “dissatisfaction with certain issues” before his dismissal, he acknowledged that Guerra himself was “surprised” by the decision.
The chairman also rejected suggestions that the decision was linked to football issues, including Steven May’s attitude or Guerra’s lack of a football background.
Instead, Melbourne’s official position was clear.
“Sometimes you get something wrong,” Smith said.
“We think we got this wrong and we think it’s time to move on.”
The pre-emptive move by Taylor, Stan’s managing director and current Demons’ non-executive director, shows the club had lost faith in Guerra long before he publicly acted.
“We approached him probably a week or two ago to see if we needed a plan B,” Smith said.
Despite weeks of planning, Melbourne remained tight-lipped about the decision on Tuesday and did not confirm Guerra’s departure until releasing a statement in the evening, hours after news of his sacking broke.
Smith admitted the club’s communication was poor.
“We could have been clearer about our messaging, and we will learn from that,” he said.
The Demons remain in the top five and have been widely praised for their revamped style of play this season, making Guerra’s departure even more shocking.
Smith insisted the board had no choice but to take immediate action.
“When you get to the point where it becomes clear that you don’t trust your CEO to run the club, you need to make strong, difficult decisions,” he said.
Experienced manager Brian Cook, who took over as interim CEO, described the upheaval as part of the club’s drive to improve.
“This is a good club and it’s trying to get better,” Cook said.
“Sometimes you have to make tough decisions to make that happen.”
Early Wednesday morning this imprint reported Taylor’s appointment before the Demons confirmed it in a club statement.
“Dan has built his career enabling complex businesses to operate in competitive environments and brings us the strategic and commercial thinking we need,” Smith said in the statement.
“His leadership experience and understanding of what is required to grow a high-performing organization will be a great asset to the club.”
Taylor, who was not present at the press conference, said in a statement: “I am honored to be appointed as CEO of Melbourne Football Club.
“The club has a proud history and clear ambition and I look forward to working with the board, management team, staff and players to ensure the club’s continued success.
“This is a special opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”
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