Collingwood have confirmed Graham Wright won’t be returning as their football boss after the club granted him leave to take a sabbatical overseas with his family, which drew the ire of some sections of the AFL community. Wright hadn’t stepped down from his role but has been in the United States and Europe with his wife Tracey since March.

The 56-year-old wanted a break and actually offered his resignation to the club, but it was instead decided that Wright would take a year off and come back refreshed. Wright helped mastermind Collingwood’s premiership triumph last year following 35-straight years involved in the AFL – first as a player, then in various off-field roles.

The Magpies were hopeful Wright would remain in the role after his break, but the club confirmed on Monday that he won’t be returning. “We have been in constant discussions with Graham during his sabbatical and both of us have agreed that Graham be free to pursue new opportunities to further develop his already distinguished career,” Magpies president Jeff Browne said. “All of us at Collingwood wish Graham, his wife Tracey and children James and Ethan all the best and every success for the next chapter.”

Graham Wright had been criticised for posting photos of holiday

It comes after Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes criticised Wright for posting photos of his holiday on social media when his club were struggling so badly. Collingwood are set to become the third reigning premier in four seasons to miss out on the finals, and are only a mathematical chance to finish inside the top eight heading into the final round of the regular season.

Cornes thought it was a poor look for Wright to be drawing attention to his holiday when he was still technically employed in the role. “If he’s out, he’s out,” Cornes said on Channel 9 program ‘Footy Classified’ last month. “Let’s just pay him to go on a holiday and watch his Instagram clips as we’re sitting 12th on the ladder and trying to qualify for finals.

“I don’t think we begrudge anyone for going on holiday and having a break, it’s a pretty intense industry. But to see the images of him on holiday from his Instagram account, I don’t think it’s a great look when you’ve got your head of footy on holiday, posting pictures on Instagram and your side is sitting in 12th.”

Has Graham Wright’s absence affected Collingwood on field?

When the Magpies announced Wright was taking a sabbatical last December, Collingwood chief executive Craig Kelly said the club wanted to “normalise this type of leave for our key people”. During Wright’s absence, the club has undertaken a back-room shuffle and his crucial role was mostly filled by assistant coach Brendon Bolton.

Last month, Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said he believes the front office changes have impacted Collingwood on the field. “The game stops for no one, Collingwood in this situation then changed everyone’s roles,” he said. “Assistant coaches changed their positions, (coaching director) Brendan Bolton changed his position, Justin Leppitsch changed his position – too much change. It just shows you need everything to go right to win a flag, they got that right last year but they haven’t this year.”