Nathan Buckley’s contract situation has been one of the ongoing debates in the footy landscape this year.
The Collingwood coach’s deal is up at the end of the year and the club is currently languishing in 16th place on the ladder.
There is quite a bit of instability at the Holden Centre right now, with the presidency transferring from Eddie McGuire to Mark Korda very recently.
Club great Jeff Browne is also expected to challenge that presidency in the near future.
The Magpies also parted ways with list manager Ned Guy, while Graham Wright is only in his first season overseeing the football department, taking over from Geoff Walsh.
Sam McClure is reporting that given the instability around the club, Collingwood is currently leaning towards re-signing Buckley.
“I sit here tonight quite confident that he will be coaching Collingwood in 2022,” McClure told Footy Classified.
“I think that Graham Wright, who we know is the new football boss, who’s come from Hawthorn, has come into the club and seen quite a few problems, one of course being the list.
“Ned Guy was partly responsible for the building of that list and has resigned in recent times.
“We know that there is probably another challenge afoot at board level with the presidency and what is going on with Jeff Browne. Caroline Wilson wrote quite strongly on the weekend that he would challenge.
“The view internally at Collingwood is that there is enough to destabilise the group and not much can be placed at the feet of Nathan Buckley. I think he will be extended.
“I’m firm in my view that Collingwood think Nathan Buckley is their best fit for their senior coach next year as it stands.”
McClure adds that the Magpies are weighing up coaching changes underneath Buckley.
“I also think the assistant coaches currently under Nathan Buckley are unlikely to be there next year,” he said.
Collingwood has been linked to former Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch, who is currently working in the media after finishing up a stint at Richmond.