MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: (L-R) Madison Prespakis of the Blues, Sam Walsh of the Blues and Cain Liddle, Chief Executive Officer of the Carlton Blues pose for a photo during the 2019 NAB AFL Rising Star Awards at Melbourne Showgrounds on August 30, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Carlton and chief executive Cain Liddle are understood to have parted ways following a difficult 2021 season, per AFL.com.au's Mitch Cleary.

Liddle is the latest key name to depart Princes Park this year, with senior coach David Teague sacked from his post following the club's 13th-placed finish.

It is understood that Blues staff were notified on the club's decision to split with Liddle, with the Carlton CEO now joining Teague, assistant coaches Brent Stanton and Dale Amos, and president Mark LoGiudice in leaving the club.

Liddle was appointed as Carlton's chief executive in November 2017, succeeding Stephen Trigg for the position at Ikon Park.

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Newly-arrived president Luke Sayers has looked to revamp the Blues' football department following an external review of the club's operations at the end of this season.

Sayers flagged a number of ambitious targets for the club to reach in the coming years following Teague's departure as they search for a new senior coach.

Following the club's decision to part ways with Liddle, Sayers thanked the outgoing CEO for his time with the club.

“Under Cain’s leadership the Club has cleared historical debt, significantly grown membership and commercial revenues, as well as introduced new non-traditional revenues, which now leaves the Club in the strongest financial position we have been in for many years," Sayers said

“Our players, coaches, staff, members and supporters can be incredibly grateful for the role Cain has played in placing the Carlton Football Club in the off-field position of strength we now find ourselves in."

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Liddle was a part of the Blues' coaching search sub-committee, with Blues legend Greg Williams, board members Tim Lincoln and Patty Kinnersly, football boss Brad Lloyd and former Blues premiership coach David Parkin rounding out the names leading the search.

Liddle expressed his gratitude in being part of the Blues over the past four years, understanding the club requires "stability".

“I’m extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity almost four years ago to lead this club,” Liddle said.

“The review process highlighted our on-field performance was not at the standard we expect as a club and I accept full responsibility for that.

“Right now, the Club needs stability more than anything else. Given the uncertainty around my position, I needed to seek clarity on my role to provide everyone with that stability for us to move forward.

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“It has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of very good people to get to this point and I have no doubt that we will begin to see the benefits of that hard work in the years to come.

“Obviously none of what we have achieved in the last four years would have been possible without our members and partners, whose commitment to consistently commit to the Club in the way they have, particularly over the past two years, irrespective of wins and losses, shows the power of the Carlton faithful.

“AFL CEOs jobs are incredibly taxing, even more so over the past two years, not just on yourself but your families as well and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my wife Hayley, who has carried the entire load of our family, home schooling our three kids through the ongoing challenges of COVID, which all Victorians have had to deal with. It’s now my turn to take on that support role and play my part.

“I move into the next phase of my career excited for what lies ahead but equally proud that hopefully this football club is now in a significantly better place. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Carlton Football Club, including players, staff, members, supporters and commercial partners and wish the Club all the best as it enters this new phase.”

Carlton have announced that the club's financial officer Tom Crookes will take over the chief executive duties on an interim bases.