CHAIRMAN Angus Johnson has been heckled at a Brisbane Lions function after confirming to a shocked audience Michael Voss had been sacked.
Johnson made a brief statement at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday night after notifying Voss earlier that afternoon his contract would not be extended.
After being greeted by a couple of boos, Johnson said the board believed it was in the best interests of the football club and had been an "incredibly difficult decision".
To which one heckler replied: "then quit".
Another call from the crowd was "sack the board".
Voss was given an opportunity to coach the final three rounds of the season but declined.
He was then offered a chance to coach a farewell match against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday night, but declined again.
Players and staff were notified at a special meeting at 3.30pm on Tuesday and entered the function looking a shattered group.
Most players declined to comment, but Voss' long-time friend and fellow Brownlow medallist Simon Black admitted he was shocked.
"He's been an enormous influence on my life," Black said on his way into the charity auction. "A fantastic human being Vossy, a great guy."
Black is also in the final year of his contract and is expected to retire at the end of the season, but has yet to make a decision.
The Lions will hold a press conference – with Voss and Johnson both attending – on Wednesday at noon.
It is believed assistant coach Mark Harvey will fill-in on an interim basis, although the club is likely to confirm that on Wednesday.
Johnson said the board would "agreed on a process moving forward to identify a senior coach and we’ll be saying more about that over coming days."
Speculation has immediately turned to former Sydney Swans premiership coach Paul Roos, but there is no suggestion any deal has been brokered there.
