Nathan Buckley could be set to receive a one-year contract extension to remain the coach of Collingwood in 2022, according to The Age's Sam McClure.
Buckley's future has been one of the major talking points of the 2021 season, with the 48-year-old currently out of contract and yet to re-sign with the club.
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According to McClure, given recent off-field departures of long-time president Eddie McGuire and list manager Ned Guy, Collingwood is reluctant to further destabilise the playing group by disposing of Buckley.
While Buckley is likely to be extended, McClure suggested that his current crop of assistant coaches could see their time at the club come to an end.
"I sit here tonight quite confident that he'll be coaching Collingwood in 2022," he told Nine's Footy Classified.
"Graham Wright, who is the new football boss, has come into the club and seen quite a few problems, one of course being the list. We know that there's another challenge afoot with the presidency with Jeff Browne.
"The view internally at Collingwood is there is enough going on to destabilise the group, and that not much can be placed at the feet of Nathan Buckley.
"I think personally he will be extended. The assistant coaches currently under Nathan Buckley are unlikely to be there next year."
Speculation surrounding Buckley's future at the helm has come amid a disastrous 2-7 start to the season for a side, whose core reached a preliminary final just two seasons ago.
With the club appearing years away from its next premiership, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes questioned the merits of extending Buckley by a solitary season.
"I'm not sure what we learn in one year," he told Footy Classified.
"I see their list as not challenging next year, they need a mini-reset. What's going to change at Collingwood from where they are in one year?
"We're going to be sitting here this time next year possibly having the same discussion about Nathan Buckley."
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