The Richmond Football Club has appointed Adem Yze as their new head coach, starting from the 2024 season.

Yze replaces Damien Hardwick, who stepped down as coach on 22 May and is now the head coach of Gold Coast. Yze beat out caretaker coach Andrew McQualter, Xavier Clarke, Chris Newman and Daniel Giansiracusa for the job.

Both Richmond president John O’Rourke and CEO Brendon Gale confirmed that the board unanimously accepted the recommendation of Yze from the coaching panel.

O’Rourke cited Yze’s premiership experience as an assistant coach at Melbourne and Hawthorn as a key reason he won the job.

“We have no doubt that Adem is the right man to lead us into the future,” he said.

“Adem has great energy and is highly competitive, and during the appointment process, it became increasingly obvious that he was a great fit for our Club. He was the ideal candidate, and we have no doubt our playing group will thrive under his coaching.”

Yze said he was excited when he found out the news on Thursday night, having missed out on several head coaching roles in the last few years, including at Adelaide, GWS and Essendon.

“I feel very humbled to have been given this opportunity,” he said. “I can’t wait to meet the playing group and start building towards the 2024 season.”

O’Rourke also thanked caretaker coach Andrew McQualter, who missed out on the job despite his seven wins and six losses as interim coach.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge Andrew McQualter, who is a wonderful person and coach,” he said.

“Andrew took the selfless decision to take on the interim role when Damien Hardwick left the Club, and he has handled himself with confidence and class. He continued to impress during the interview process, and I have no doubt he will be a future AFL coach.”

Photo: David Mandie building 25.05.19 by DustyNail available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. This image has not been modified.