ST KILDA'S tumultuous season has taken another turn following the resignation of CEO Michael Nettlefold after four-and-a-half years in the role.
Nettlefold told the board of his decision on Friday.
Nettlefold believes the time is right to move on but he will not leave the club immediately.
He will remain in his role until a suitable replacement is appointed.
"We have a number of major initiatives in place that are on the way to fruition," Nettlefold said on Friday.
"This meant a commitment for another long period and on reflection I felt the time was right for me to transition out of the position.
"Having worked closely with our new president Peter Summers over a number of years, I have great confidence the club is in solid hands and know we are well-positioned to re-emerge and contend again in the very near future."
Just two weeks ago, football manager Greg Hutchison was made redundant, with his duties redistributed throughout the football department.
The president of the club has also changed, with Greg Westaway stepping down at the end of the season after serving his maximum term of six years.
Board member and AVJennings boss Peter Summers took on the role at the Saints' best and fairest on September 6.
Chris Pelchen remains as the head of football.
Nettlefold, a former St Kilda and Fitzroy player, has been a club director for eight years and took over from Archie Fraser in April, 2009.
In his term, he oversaw the relocation of the club to its new Seaford facility, its foray into New Zealand that saw the first match played on foreign soil on Anzac Day this year and the Saints play in three Grand Finals.
"I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead and work with so many wonderful and committed Saints people," he said.
"It has been a great pleasure to have served this proud club.
"My relationship with the Saints has lasted 35 years and it has not ended, but simply changed in focus.
"I will remain a proud and passionate Saint for the rest of my days."
Summers said the "whole club will be sorry to see Michael step down".
"He has done an outstanding job since being asked to take on the role of CEO five years ago," Summers said.
"Michael is in many respects a quiet achiever who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for his beloved St Kilda football club."
The resignation caps a season where the Saints had to deal with a number of off-field issues.
Now-retired small forward Stephen Milne was charged with rape in June after a 2004 incident and Ahmed Saad took a provisional suspension in August for returning a positive drug sample.
Then, the club had to deal with a Mad Monday incident that saw a dwarf entertainer allegedly set alight by Clint Jones.
