Melbourne part ways with CEO after seven months in the job

Melbourne have parted ways with chief executive Paul Guerra only seven months after he started in the job.

The move was reported by multiple media outlets on Tuesday and was independently verified by this masthead. The Age has contacted Guerra, the Demons and club president Steven Smith.

Brian Cook, a friend and former teammate of Smith, had been recruited to mentor Guerra on a part-time basis. Cook could step in as interim CEO.

Guerra started the role officially in September last year after he was appointed in April 2025.

“I’m really clear around values. I think the football club has a wonderful set of values. I can bind to those and I’m sure everyone in the organisation does,” Guerra told the club website in his first interview as chief executive.

“I’m also really clear on strategy. If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. Let’s be really clear around where we’re going. The values then lead to a culture.”

At the time of his appointment he was CEO of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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