• Andrew Demetriou will stand down as AFL CEO at the end of 2014
• AFL to begin 2-3 month search for a replacement
• Deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan among leading candidates for top job
• Demetriou denies AFL could have done more to prevent Essendon supplements crisis
COLLINGWOOD president and former Nine Network CEO Eddie McGuire has ruled himself out of the running to replace Andrew Demetriou as AFL CEO.
The prominent television presenter and businessman said he was sad that Demetriou would be vacating the position at the end of the 2014 season, but it would also be exciting to welcome a new leader for the game.
The longstanding Magpie president joked that he would not throw his hat in the ring as it would be a step backwards in his career.
"I'm not looking to do the job as the CEO of the AFL," McGuire said on Monday.
"Why would I take the demotion from being president of Collingwood?"
McGuire said current deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan was "the No.1 seed without any doubt" and it would take "someone pretty spectacular" to beat him to the appointment.
"The great thing the AFL's got, because of Andrew's decision, is 12 months to make the right decision," McGuire said.
"Even if it is Gillon at the end of the day, what we need is to have a full and thorough investigation of every available candidate in the world … it's a world-class job.
"Living in Australia, running the biggest sporting organisation in the country, with a pay packet of around $2 million with bonuses, and the excitement of what's to come.
"We just have to get the best possible candidate to take the best game in the world forward."
