Geelong football manager Neil Balme is heading back to rival AFL club Collingwood.

Balme has been a major part of the Cats’ recent AFL success since joining the club for the 2007 season, when they ended a 44-year premiership drought.

But the 62-year-old has been poached by the Magpies, the club where he worked from 1998 to 2006 as general manager of football operations.

The two clubs confirmed on Monday that Balme would replace Collingwood’s outgoing director of football Rodney Eade, who last month signed up as Gold Coast’s new coach.

“There is no-one more qualified, capable and suitable for this role than Neil Balme,” Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said in a statement.

“There isn’t anyone in the industry who would challenge his achievements or his reputation and the manner in which he has earned both.

“He has strong relationships throughout our club and is also aware, with his past here, of what the role … entails.”

Balme suggested the opportunity to work alongside Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was one of the carrots that drew him back to the Magpies.

“We share a lot of common ground in terms of our thinking on the game,” Balme said.

“The list is in a pretty healthy position and to take on the challenge of building something substantial and, hopefully, successful with him is of real appeal.”

Prior to his stints at Collingwood and Geelong, Balme coached Melbourne from 1993 to 1997.

Steve Hocking, who has worked at Simonds Stadium since 2004, is the Cats’ new football manager.

“Steve has been instrumental in our success over the past decade and has played a key leadership role in both football and at our club,” Cats chief executive Brian Cook said.

“The transition to Steve will be made much simpler by the fact that he has been so involved in our operations at all levels for so long.”

Balme will finish up at the Cats after the AFL draft on November 27.