Brisbane chairman Angus Johnson has admitted the AFL club was sounding out potential successors for coach Michael Voss in the final six weeks of his tenure.
Johnson fronted the media alongside Voss on Wednesday, a day after telling the club icon he would not be offered a new contract for next season.
Johnson confirmed former Fremantle coach Mark Harvey would be handed the reins as the AFL club’s interim coach, starting with Saturday night’s home match against Greater Western Sydney, after Voss declined to see out the final three rounds.
While the club had previously said it would make a decision on Voss at the end of the season, Johnson said the board finalised its decision not to re-sign him on Tuesday and wanted to tell the three-time premiership captain as soon as possible.
“We had a choice. Sit down with Michael in three weeks and pretend everything was fine, or be up front and advise him now,” Johnson said.
“Subsequently we strongly believed that it was in the best interests of the club and Michael to inform him immediately rather than wait until the end of the season.”
Johnson, who spoke of his 15-year bond with Voss noted the axed coach knew his position was under extreme scrutiny.
“We informed Michael six weeks ago that we be would be moving to identify, then contacting and conducting due diligence on a number of potential coaching candidates,” Johnson said.
“In the interest of transparency for our members and fans, as Paul Roos confirmed in the press this morning, he was one of those contacted.
“Out of respect to Michael and the process that will begin to determine a replacement, I don’t intend to go into the detail of who we will be discussing the role further with and won’t be providing a running commentary.
“The club will announce the process to be undertaken in appointing a new senior coach in the coming days.”
However Johnson said the suggestion that Brisbane had already agreed a deal with Swans premiership coach Roos was incorrect.
“I want to make it clear that we have not made an appointment at this stage.”
