NATHAN Buckley has signed a new contract with Collingwood, tying him to the club until the end of 2017.
The Magpies coach was contracted until the end of this season, but president Eddie McGuire confirmed to AFL.com.au at Tuesday night’s season launch that Buckley had agreed to a one-year contract extension.
“He’s not going to be sacked,” McGuire joked.
“Nathan has done exactly as the board has requested of him, and as a result of that we’re delighted to extend Nathan’s contract.”
Buckley assumed the head coaching role after the end of the 2011 season. Mick Malthouse had led the Magpies to the Grand Final the previous two years, with Buckley as an assistant.
Malthouse was contracted to stay on at the club until 2014 as the club’s director of coaching, but chose not to fulfil that role.
The Pies made the preliminary final in Buckley’s first season in charge, were knocked out in the first week of finals by Port Adelaide in 2013 and have missed the top eight in each of the past two seasons after starting 8-3.
Buckley spoke at the club’s season launch, expressing his confidence that the Pies are on the track towards success.
“We believe we’ve got a great football program in place. I’m absolutely sure of it,” Buckley said.
“I’m not afraid of the hard work. I’m not afraid of the hard decisions, but I’m also looking forward to being rewarded for those in the near future.
“Our wins have gone down slowly over the last couple of years, but we’ve made consistent, strategic decisions. Some of those have us in relatively good stead to launch from when we look at our future.
“Clearly there are expectations around this year. It’s going to be a great ride. We all have strong ambitions for where we can go.”
McGuire told attendees at the launch that Buckley deserved nothing but praise.
“Our senior coach Nathan Buckley embodies the Collingwood spirit. We asked Nathan to rebuild our club in the past few years and rebuild it he has,” McGuire said.
The president had some words of motivation for the players.
“Ignore the pests. Ignore the noise that goes on around AFL football,” he said.
“We’ve assembled the best possible coaching staff. We have built the best possible facilities. We give you every chance to succeed.
“Who knows where it might all end up? This is a year where we can set ourselves up to have a lot of fun.”
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