Michael Voss has resigned as head coach of the Carlton Football Club following a disastrous start to the AFL season, with the Blues confirming his departure and appointing Josh Fraser as interim coach.
The club announced the decision on Tuesday afternoon, with Carlton president Rob Priestley stating that Voss acknowledged it was the right time for the club to move forward under new leadership. "Across five seasons, he has invested himself fully in the role and handled himself with impressive character throughout," Priestley said. "Ultimately, beyond results alone, we have not seen the intended evolution in our game, and to his credit, Michael acknowledges that now is the right time for the club to move forward under the leadership of a new senior coach."
Voss, who is out of contract at season's end, made the decision after the Blues fell to a 1-8 record, effectively ending their finals hopes. He has not yet returned to Victoria following the team's match against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Carlton chief executive Graham Wright described the club as being in "genuine transition." "What you are seeing right now is a football club in genuine transition, and we are not going to shy away from that reality," Wright said. "Since last year, virtually every senior leadership position has changed. No Carlton person is content with where we are at right now and we must demand better of ourselves."
Voss's final game in charge was against his former club, the Brisbane Lions, where Carlton fought hard in the second half but ultimately lost by 11 points to the dual reigning premiers last Friday night.
Blues assistant coach and former Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser has been confirmed as interim coach. Fraser rejoined Carlton's staff before the 2026 season.
Voss coached Carlton 99 times after being appointed for the 2022 season. He led the club to a preliminary final in 2023, their best result since making the 1999 grand final. The Blues reached finals again in 2024 but were eliminated in embarrassing fashion in the first week. Since the start of 2025, Carlton has won just 10 of 32 matches.
Carlton currently sits 16th on the ladder, ahead of only Richmond and Essendon on percentage, as they prepare to face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Premiership coaches John Longmire and Adam Simpson were previously flagged as potential replacements when Voss was under pressure last year, but the club decided to back him into the final year of his contract despite losing key players Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning, and Jack Silvagni during the trade period.
Voss may return to the media, having worked as a commentator for two years after retiring from playing in 2006.
