Western Bulldogs footy boss Chris Grant steps down after relationship breakdown with Luke Beveridge

Western Bulldogs great Chris Grant has walked away from his post as the club’s executive director of football.

7NEWS understands Bulldogs staff were informed on Friday that Grant would be departing his post ahead of the 2025 AFL season.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Chris Grant quits the Western Bulldogs.

It comes after a rocky 12 months in his relationship breakdown with senior coach Luke Beveridge.

Grant was appointed the Bulldogs’ football boss ahead of the 2016 premiership.

He held a direct line of communication with Beveridge, before head of development Matt Egan was elevated to general manager of football operations to sit between the pair ahead of the 2024 season.

Grant’s departure ends more than 30 years of connection with the Bulldogs as a star player, captain, dual best and fairest, Hall of Fame inductee, board member and footy boss.

The Bulldogs released a statement on Grant’s departure shortly after it was revealed by 7NEWS.

“Club legend Chris Grant has informed the Western Bulldogs he will depart the club next month after more than 30 years of service as a player, board member, and most recently executive,” the club’s website says.

“Following the conclusion of a stellar playing career in the red, white, and blue, Grant joined the blub’s board in 2011, before being appointed to a full-time executive position to lead the club’s football department in 2016, overseeing both men’s and women’s football programs and club football academies.

“In the past nine seasons, Grant has presided over the most successful period in the club’s history, including winning the 2016 AFL premiership, competing in the 2021 AFL grand final in Perth and reaching the AFL finals on six occasions as well as success at state league level with Footscray winning the VFL premiership in 2016.”

Grant said the club has been a major part of his life.

“I’ve spent over half of my life with the club as a player and administrator and will cherish the many memories we have created together at the Western Bulldogs,” Grant said.

“While the decision to pause and map out the next stage of my professional career has not been an easy one, I leave knowing the club is in a great position to succeed and write the next chapter in the amazing history of the red, white and blue.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the players, coaches, and football department staff across all our programs for the trust they have shown in me to manage the football department over the past nine years, forging lifelong friendships and creating some amazing memories together along the way.

“I am looking forward to spending some quality time with Mel, Isabella, Sascha and Ollie over the coming months as we embark on the next stage of our family life together.”

Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said Grant’s contribution to the club has been significant.

“Chris has been an outstanding Bulldogs person for more than three decades, characterised by great integrity, care and compassion for the Club and our people,” Bains said.

“Without exception, Chris has always put the club first, building a legacy that includes overseeing two premierships and countless accolades during his time as a champion player and progressive leader at the Bulldogs.

“Chris remains one of the best players to ever don the red, white and blue jumper. As an administrator, his ever-calming influence and ability to lead people has guided this club through both successful and challenging times.

“On behalf of our club and the entire Bulldogs community, we’re extremely grateful to Chris for everything he has done for us and we wish him well for the next chapter of his journey.”

His departure on account of Beveridge’s presence comes despite doubt remaining over the future of Beveridge himself, with Bains in recent weeks refusing to guarantee the coach’s future beyond next year.

Beveridge, who is heading into his 11th season as coach, is out of contract at the end of 2025.

In 2016 famously broke the Bulldogs’ 62-year premiership drought in his second year as coach when his side rode a fairytale run from seventh to win the flag.

The Dogs also made the grand final in 2021, when they lost to Melbourne, but have lost five elimination finals under Beveridge outside of that.

Beveridge has faced criticism for his inability to maximise the talent on their list, which includes a superstar midfield led by Marcus Bontempelli and a potent forward line featuring Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

The Dogs recovered from a poor start in 2024 to roar into the finals, where they were tipped to go deep into September.

But their season unravelled against Hawthorn in a disastrous elimination final.

The performance raised more questions about Beveridge’s future at the club, and there appears to be no immediate discussions on a new deal.

“Those discussions and decisions are yet to be made,” Bains told 7NEWS earlier this month.

“I think at the end of a long campaign, we’re keen for everyone to get some time away, including some of the off-field staff.

“With everyone due to return soon, we’ll pick things up then.”

Despite Beveridge likely entering 2025 without a fresh contract, Bains is still confident the 2016 premiership coach is the right man for the job.

“He’s been the person to have done it (won a flag) in the past,” he said.

“And despite things being in a prickly position earlier in the (2024) season, through his leadership we were able to pick things up and finish really strongly.

“So the confidence in him to do that again next year is strong.”