Essendon CEO steps down

Xavier Campbell has resigned as Essendon CEO, reports AFL Media’s Damian Barrett and confirmed by SEN’s Sam Edmund.

Campbell has stepped down amid a turbulent time at Tullamarine which saw a change of presidency from Paul Brasher to David Barham early last week and the sacking of coach Ben Rutten last Sunday.

“Xavier Campbell has resigned as the CEO of Essendon,” Edmund said on SEN Breakfast.

“So Xavier Campbell leaves as the fallout at Essendon continues after a difficult season in 2022.

“Paul Brasher steps down as president and now Campbell as CEO and a senior coach is obviously needed there.

“Xavier Campbell instituted that John Worsfold to Ben Rutten succession plan, he was tied to Rutten and wanted him to remain as coach next year.

“There was the review at the heart of that, obviously the internal and external debate that was had around the boardroom table.

“In the end, Xavier Campbell has resigned as CEO of Essendon which is big news.”

Campbell was a Rutten supporter and was opposed to the club’s failed pursuit of Alastair Clarkson.

He informed new president Barham of his decision to step down on Sunday night.

The Bombers had extended Campbell’s contract for a further two years in May, which tied him to the club until 2024.

However, he has opted to quit the role he took over in 2014.

The club has since released a statement on Campbell’s exit.

“Being CEO is more than a job and it has been an absolute privilege, a pleasure, and an experience I will always be proud of,” Campbell said.

“I have done everything in my power to restore the Club’s financial, structural, and cultural stability; to help pick up the pieces and put the Club back together after the heartbreak, chaos, and instability of my first four years was one of the more difficult tasks I will face in my professional career. And despite the challenges of this past week – I believe we have done that.”

See the statement below: