Carlton coach Michael Voss is reportedly no certainty to remain coach of the Blues by the year's end as the club continues to search for its first win since April.
The Blues went all of May without a victory and are now facing the likelihood of losing their sixth successive game on Sunday when they face Essendon at the MCG.
Voss, who has won 15 of his 33 games in charge of Carlton, has struggled to match the expectations as a likely top-eight contender this year to currently sit among the bottom five clubs on the ladder.
Blues President Luke Sayers threw his support behind Voss last month, stating the under-fire coach will remain in his role despite the club's slipping finals chances.
Carlton has lost a further two matches since Sayers' comments to now sit 14th on the ladder and be more than a win away from the top eight at the midway mark of the year.
Speaking onย Footy Classifiedย on Monday night, journalist Sam McClure reported Voss is "coaching for his career" this year despite the recent backing of Sayers.ย McClure also suggested unrest within the playing group was beginning to arise at Ikon Park amid a frustrating period for the club.
"I think there is this misnomer in the football media and in some sections of Carlton because of what Luke Sayers the President said last week, essentially guaranteeing Michael Voss would be coach next year. There is this feeling he will coach (in 2024) no matter what. I can tell you tonight that that is a fallacy," McClure said.
"Michael Voss is coaching for his career at Carlton in the same way in the next 11 weeks Carlton are playing to save their season.
"There is a lot going on behind the scenes. I'm not just talking about board level and whether they believe that Michael Voss is ultimately the right man to coach Carlton to its next premiership.
"There are players that are starting to wonder if in fact they have the right system. There are opposition clubs that I have spoken to over the weekend that believe Carlton do not have a discernible game plan.
"There are players at Carlton who don't want to be playing with one another. There are factions developing within the playing group as well.
"There is a lot going on at the Carlton Football Club. That is not to say Michael Voss will not survive this and they won't do what Richmond did with Damien Hardwick and what Collingwood did with Nathan Buckley.
"... absolutely (his job is in real threat).
"There are still senior people who are restless at the lack of development at Carlton.ย They need to win games and they need to start scoring."
"Michael Voss is coaching for his career at Carlton"
Sam McClure reports Michael Voss' position is under threat, with questions emerging at board level and amongst some players.#9FootyClassified | @Channel9 pic.twitter.com/S7d830T8pf
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) June 5, 2023
McClure went on to suggest "one situation" among Carlton players was also causing some concern at the club.
When quizzed on the matter, McClure said the issues within the playing group were not related to those surrounding Voss, with "a couple of players" having caused tension within the team.
"I think that's separate," McClure said on the reported friction within the playing group.
"There are lots of players that truly believe Michael Voss can get them out of this and that Michael Voss is the man. But there is at least one situation I know of inside the Carlton dressing room between a couple of players which has caused issues in the team."
Carlton will face rivals Essendon at the MCG on Sunday night as they look to snap a five-game losing streak and keep their finals chances alive.
