McGuire ‘struggling’ ahead of TV return

AFL reporter Caroline Wilson is uncertain whether former Collingwood President Eddie McGuire will feature in next week’s return of Footy Classified.

McGuire co-hosts the Wednesday edition of the Channel 9 program alongside Wilson, but has been radio silent since he resigned from the presidency last month.

After the “Do Better” report was made available to the public in late January, McGuire was widely criticised for his “trainwreck” press conference in which he labelled the occasion a “historic and proud day” for the football club.

The 56-year-old stepped down from his position a few days later, claiming he intended to take a break away from his busy schedule during an emotional press conference.

“With the indulgence of my media partners, I’m going to take a break for a little while to regroup and heal,” McGuire said in early February.

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Speaking on the Don’t Shoot The Messenger podcast, Wilson conceded she did not know whether McGuire will appear on next week’s episode.

“The plan is for Eddie to host Wednesday night Footy Classified and of course Craig Hutchison is hosting the Monday night,” Wilson said on Tuesday.

“It starts next week, I really hope he comes back and hosts it, but at the moment he’s not quite sure.”

Eddie McGuire resigns.Source:Getty Images

McGuire had served as Collingwood President since 1998 and was for a long time one of the most influential powerbrokers in the AFL.

Last week, The Herald Sun reported serious concerns from those close to McGuire about his withdrawal from usual social connections.

The report claimed figures close to McGuire believe he is in a “very bad way”.

“He really is struggling and incredibly flat, and this is what we’ve read,” Wilson confirmed. “After losing the Collingwood presidency the way he did, there is a bit of disillusionment.

“As we’re sitting here on Tuesday morning eight days out, we’re not sure whether he’s hosting it or not.”

Fox Footy reportedly put contingency plans into action in preparation for McGuire being unavailable for up to two months.

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