FORMER AFL football operations manager Simon Lethlean looks the frontrunner to replace Steven Trigg as Carlton's chief executive, but will need to go through a recruitment process.
The Blues parted ways with Trigg on Thursday, more than three years after he switched from Adelaide, where he spent the previous 13 seasons.
Carlton is one of four AFL clubs searching for a new CEO, along with Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn, but president Mark LoGiudice said that would not rush the Blues into a decision.
LoGiudice denied on NAB AFL Trade Radio on Friday that Carlton had treated Trigg poorly.
"We are at the next stage of our pathway, of our growth at the football club, and we believe we needed a different type of leader to take us the next step in our growth," LoGiudice said.
"This is a very tough call … we have been chatting to Steven over (a) period of time and as I said, they are difficult discussions and they are tough times for everybody.
"Steven's been a great CEO to date and when we say we're looking for a different type of leader, there are different skillsets that we believe are required.
"It's probably not appropriate I go into all the detail right now, but there are certain aspects of leadership we're looking for … that we believe Steven doesn't have that the next CEO we find will need to take the club from where we are today to where we need to go."
Carlton has hired consultant David Campbell, of Egon Zehnder, to find Trigg's replacement. Campbell also helped the Blues appoint Trigg.
Lethlean has been linked to multiple club CEO jobs since departing the AFL after his affair with a female colleague became public.
"The most important part about this is I would hope Simon Lethlean will be part of this process," LoGiudice said.
"We expect there will be multiple candidates and there will be good quality candidates, and I do hope Simon Lethlean will be part of that process, because he's got the right skillset and he's got the expertise required to lead a football club."
LoGiudice said he expected Trigg to continue in his role until the new CEO started.
