Will Justin Leppitsch play a role in the coaches market at the end of the season?
Several coaching changes could be on the cards at the end of this year, but Leppitsch’s name seldom comes up in conversation.
The now Magpies assistant coached Brisbane on 66 occasions for just 14 wins but he’s enjoyed significant success at Richmond and now Collingwood under Craig McRae.
While it’s only early in the season, Adam Simpson, Stuart Dew and Ken Hinkley appear under pressure to keep their respective jobs longer than 2023.
Kane Cornes believes Leppitsch should be leading the pack of the next best available coaches.
“I want to put Justin Leppitsch on the agenda,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“We’ve been talking about what Collingwood are doing and everyone’s lauding their tactics, the way they’re playing and their style like it’s a force… McRae isn’t even in the coaches box.
“So clearly Leppitsch is pulling the strings on game day. Is he, or should he be, the most in demand next senior coach, Justin Leppitsch?
“He’s done it before, clearly he’s going to be better second-time around. Been at Richmond, massive success, come to Collingwood with McRae, massive success.
“I think he’s the one that I would be going for out of anyone else if I’m looking for a head coach.”
It’s unclear if Nathan Buckley could be enticed to a coaching return, while Melbourne assistant Adem Yze and Carlton assistant Ash Hanson also appear among those likely for a senior job in the near future.
But Cornes has Leppitsch above those candidates and another in current Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, who likely needs to go deep into September this year.
“Probably Ken Hinkley would be available at the end of this year I would think… I think Leppitsch is miles ahead of the next best,” he continued.
“If you’re looking for that Craig McRae-type, he’s just got that good connection with the younger players mixed with the game style nous.”
Leppitsch, McRae and Brendon Bolton all joined Collingwood at the start of the 2022 season and has transformed the then struggling club back into a powerhouse on field.
Speaking to SEN last year, Leppitsch didn’t rule out a return but added it would be a significant decision.
“I think it’s kind of like ‘do you want to be married again’. It is a commitment and it affects your family,” Leppitsch told SEN’s Whateley.
“It’s not so much whether I like coaching, I do like coaching, but do you want to go through that journey of coaching, are you happy with the one you’re currently doing.
“There’s nothing yet to sway me any other way, so I’ll just take it moment by moment.”