After unexpectedly tending his resignation to Melbourne chairman Paul Gardner and chief executive Steve Harris yesterday, the timing of which surprised and disagreed with both, Daniher is understood to be considering a swift departure rather than a long farewell.

A further meeting between the parties today is expected discuss the idea of a near-immediate exit.

While Daniher will need to first resolve any contractual issues that may stand in his way, it is believed that he has considered the need for Melbourne to "breathe clean air" and acknowledged the dispiriting experiences that were the final days of Peter Schwab at Hawthorn and Danny Frawley at Richmond.

The obvious candidates to deputise for him are football operations manager Chris Fagan, who coached North Hobart and the Tassie Mariners before he joined Daniher at Melbourne in 1998, and former Claremont coach and present assistant Mark Riley.

The Age

WHEN football relationships sour, they have a tendency to sour quickly, which would go a long way to explain why Neale Daniher's last game as Melbourne coach looks certain to take place tomorrow night against Essendon.

A meeting scheduled for early today between the coach, or his connections, and the club chiefs who this week made it abundantly clear to Daniher that his time was up, should settle the financial details and free him from his contract.

Daniher's most senior assistant, Mark Riley, is favourite to take over as caretaker coach although Sandringham mentor Mark Williams and another assistant, Peter Curran, will also be considered.

The Age

As I said in an existing thread, I thought ND would see out the year, but I guess it makes sense.

Worth noting that apparently at the mid-season review ND had essentially given the second half of 2007 over to development for '08, so the young guys would have been getting opportunities regardless of whether ND was 'coaching for his future'.

Thats interesting - and a bit disappointing.

Daniher has been good for Melbourne - its sad to see him go like this.

like any marraige...or rather divorce a clean break is often for the best.

Am happy for him to do either.

Now what is tantalisingly seductive as it is tempting is the idea of Williams standing in !!

Michael Newton, a mercurial forward who has not played a game in his 2½ years at the club, is likely to play against Essendon tomorrow night as the first of several players who will be trialled over the last months of the season - Caroline Wilson.

One door closes and another one opens ...

As much as i agree with a lot of it, the Idea of ND coaching when neitz plays his 300th is something i'd rather see than a caretaker coach.

I doubt he will stay but i hope he does.

I think Neale should coach his last MFC match on Friday - perfect job application for Sheedy's job!

There's nothing particularly dignified about ND coaching the year out, he needed to make that offer when he resigned but we should come to an agreement and pay him out. He's done the right thing by the club (as always) giving us plenty of time to get our footy department structure and new coach right.

Bomber Riley should take over for the rest of the year and someone on staff needs to coach the forwards in his place.

Are you Caro, Old?

Just kidding. I would have preferred Daniher to see out the year but alas it appears not. It's Neale's call and I feel for him.

Jeez.

I remember when Schwarta left it was one of the saddest days of my MFC following life.

This one is up there.

Daniher's final stand. If the 22 can't get the job done now, they never will.

I think Neale should coach his last MFC match on Friday - perfect job application for Sheedy's job!

There's nothing particularly dignified about ND coaching the year out, he needed to make that offer when he resigned but we should come to an agreement and pay him out. He's done the right thing by the club (as always) giving us plenty of time to get our footy department structure and new coach right.

Bomber Riley should take over for the rest of the year and someone on staff needs to coach the forwards in his place.

I'm in two minds about this.

If he leaves after Friday night, we can almost start bringing in replacements to sit in the box for a trial.

On the other hand, if he stays, I have more confidence in team selection, in the fact that he'll play the kids who deserve a game and so on.

I have zero trust in Riley, but then, what does it matter? I want a good draft pick, so I couldn't care less how many we win from now until next year.

I agree though that Daniher should be there to coach Neita's 300th.... unless they rest him and postpone it for next year?

I think Neale should coach his last MFC match on Friday - perfect job application for Sheedy's job!

There's nothing particularly dignified about ND coaching the year out, he needed to make that offer when he resigned but we should come to an agreement and pay him out. He's done the right thing by the club (as always) giving us plenty of time to get our footy department structure and new coach right.

Bomber Riley should take over for the rest of the year and someone on staff needs to coach the forwards in his place.

Completely agree Old.

I remember an interview with Peter Schwab after he resigned before season's end at Hawthorn where he said there was nothing to be achieved by him coaching out the season. He is right.

I think the issue of David Neitz's 300 is irrelevant.

Neitz 300 and where he plays it is neither here nor there. Harvey played his 350 in Perth. If he is fit Neitz plays. The important thing is how Neitz teammates perform as a mark of respect for Neitz. I am not expecting much based on track record.

Daniher finishing on Friday night is probably the best for the club. There is no point staying on longer as he wont be there next year. Im sure the assistants can cope for the remainder of the year.

Michael Voss has already stated he wouldnt be interested in talking while Daniher was still there.

Daniher finishing on Friday night is probably the best for the club. There is no point staying on longer as he wont be there next year. Im sure the assistants can cope for the remainder of the year.

Voss has already stated he wouldnt be interested in talking, why Daniher was still there.

Deano I think you will find Voss is more than interested in talking.......he actually said he didn't think it was the right thing to comment yestereday as a mark of respect for Neale. I don't recalling reading or hearing that he won't talk to us while Danners is still around......correct me if I'm wrong.

Has this been confirmed yet? I would really like to see Neale coach out the year, it would be sad for him to leave now. He deserves to be able to leave the club on his terms. I hope the club does the right thing by everyone here.

Fagan as caretaker coach

Poor Neale, it sucks because there is no way he deserved to leave melbourne that way. The players have let him down. Thanks neale for everything. I didn't think your coaching career at melbourne would finish this wasy. Tomorrow will be a sad sad night.

Fagan as caretaker coach

Is that confirmed?

Yes...PG and SH press conference.

Is that confirmed?

Mark Riley is caretaker coach. Has been confirmed

Mark Riley to coach Demons

10:42 AM Thu 28 June, 2007 |

FRIDAY night's match against Essendon will be Neale Daniher's last as coach of Melbourne.

Demons assistant Mark Riley will take over as caretaker coach for the rest of the season.

Melbourne chairman Paul Gardner announced on Thursday that Daniher and the club had agreed that the Telstra Dome clash against the Bombers, for whom Daniher played 82 games in an injury-interrupted career, would be his final match as co

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/Default.aspx...mp;newsId=46139

I briefly heard on SEN that a new coach might even be appointed before the end of the season.

Ideally, we'll go through a proper process and find our man by round 22, and be ready to make some ruthless changes during trade week.

As much as i agree with a lot of it, the Idea of ND coaching when neitz plays his 300th is something i'd rather see than a caretaker coach.

Yeah, it's a little sad that after such a long partnership they wont be 'together' for the big milestone. I'm sure he'll be along to the game though. I imagine Neitz would insist.

I briefly heard on SEN that a new coach might even be appointed before the end of the season.

Ideally, we'll go through a proper process and find our man by round 22, and be ready to make some ruthless changes during trade week.

perhaps the best move yet, for us to have someone ready to go and appointed to start in September, make his own minds up about the list before trade week and the draft, and have complete control over everything. otherwise the coach effectively starts in 2009.

perhaps the best move yet, for us to have someone ready to go and appointed to start in September, make his own minds up about the list before trade week and the draft, and have complete control over everything. otherwise the coach effectively starts in 2009.

Except that we remove from consideration candidates who are still involved at other clubs. Even clubs that don't make finals - just like the players standard contract many coaches are on year end 30 September contracts.

Except that we remove from consideration candidates who are still involved at other clubs. Even clubs that don't make finals - just like the players standard contract many coaches are on year end 30 September contracts.

not so sure about that. i read that ND's contract had a clause that was july 31, allowing him to talk to other clubs after that date. basically he would still be mfc coach, but could discuss employment with other clubs for next year. i can only assume that would be a common clause in coaching contracts. and honestly, we're not gonna be getting coaches from clubs in the top 8 are we? so september isnt an issue...

not so sure about that. i read that ND's contract had a clause that was july 31, allowing him to talk to other clubs after that date. basically he would still be mfc coach, but could discuss employment with other clubs for next year. i can only assume that would be a common clause in coaching contracts. and honestly, we're not gonna be getting coaches from clubs in the top 8 are we? so september isnt an issue...

Just to name a few we might want to at least talk to:

Todd Viney

Peter Sumich

John Longmire (although poss won't make finals)

Dean Laidley (poss finals)

Just for starters...