“It’s been a great honour and privilege to serve the club as CEO, an opportunity that I’m incredibly grateful for,” Vozzo said.
“I’ve been living away from my home and my wider family and friends back in South Australia for 15-plus years now.
“My initial three-year contract was coming to an end, which gave me the opportunity to reflect on my future.
“Following the conclusion of our AFLW season and men’s draft, I returned to South Australia for a few weeks to be around family and my closest friends, to have some quiet time to deeply reflect.
“In that time, it really reinforced to me that it is the right time in my life to take a step back from the CEO role and further prioritise my family ahead of my career.
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“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make, because I love this football club and everything it stands for to so many … But it is time for me to start the next chapter of my life back home in South Australia.”
The club is eager for Vozzo to stay on at least in a part-time consultancy capacity in football.
Chief operating officer Nick Ryan will step in as acting chief executive while the club searches for a permanent replacement for Vozzo.
Vozzo arrived at Essendon, having been head of football at West Coast, with a brief as CEO to concentrate on fixing the football department as his priority.
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Vozzo spent three years as Bombers CEO, taking on the role after the ill-fated appointment of Andrew Thorburn, who only lasted one day in the job. Before Thorburn, the club’s CEO was Xavier Campbell.
A lawyer by trade, Vozzo’s career in football started in player management before he spent close to a decade at West Coast, most of that time as head of football.
He got the job shortly after the arrival of senior coach Brad Scott and chairman David Barham, who stepped down and was replaced by Andrew Welsh earlier this year.
Welsh paid tribute to Vozzo’s acumen in reshaping the club’s AFL and AFLW programs, and in leading it in a challenging time.
“His deep understanding of football has been pivotal in reshaping our football programs, which underwent significant transformation under his leadership,” Welsh said.
“The foundations he has helped establish across our AFL and AFLW programs, our commercial operations and our facilities put us in a strong position.
Essendon president Andrew Welsh.Credit: Stephen McKenzie
“Craig has worked incredibly hard leading this club and we recognise his unique expertise in football operations. We are actively exploring options to retain him at Essendon in a consultancy capacity, particularly in our list management and recruiting areas where his knowledge and experience would continue to be invaluable.
“I want to personally thank Craig for his service to our club. He has navigated some challenging periods with integrity and professionalism and leaves us in a stronger position than when he arrived.”
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In a separate announcement announcing McGrath’s appointment as skipper, Essendon’s GM of football Daniel McPherson said the 2016 No.1 pick had “overwhelming approval from the playing group and coaching staff”.
“This is a well-deserved achievement and a fitting honour for someone who’s frequently set the example of exactly what an Essendon person should be,” McPherson said.
“We’re thrilled for Andy and we know he’ll handle the responsibility with the level of character and dedication we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him.”
Merrett won’t have any leadership title moving forward, but McPherson said he “did himself proud” in his time as captain.
“Although he won’t be in a formal role this season, he remains an integral person for our players to look up to and learn from,” McPherson said.
“We can’t wait to throw our support behind Andy and the group as they lead our club forward to bigger and better things.”
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