Tensions between Western Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge and football boss Chris Grant have reportedly led to the “highly unusualquot; the situation at Whitten Oval, with Beveridge now reporting from elsewhere.The pair’s relationship is said to have been strained and strained, and Beveridge’s desire to have assistant coach Rohan Smith stay at the kennel until 2024 could be the reason for the rift.9 According to News Melbourne, newly appointed director of football operations Matthew Egan is now the man Beveridge reports directly to in place of Grant, despite Egan having only been at the club for months.The Dogs announced the former Geelong player and assistant in a new role as coach and performance manager last October, but a recent report suggests he will switch roles ahead of the season.The Bulldogs say the move was to ease Grant’s workload, but journalist Braiden Ingram revealed Beveridge’s relationship with Grant is under new strain.andquot;The relationship between football manager Chris Grant and Luke Beveridge is strained,andquot; Ingram spoke to 9 News on Thursday night.Andquot;Itand#039;s-known Beveridge wanted to keep estranged assistant Rohan Smith last year, but Grant and chief executive Ameet Bains had a different view and this contributed to a strained relationship.” After bringing in Matthew Egan from Geelong as head of training, the Dogs promoted him to general manager of football operations just months later following a review of the football department, meaning Beveridge will not effectively report directly to Grant, but to Egan instead.andquot;Speaking to clubs this afternoon, it’s very unusual for a senior coach not to report directly to the director of football, unless you’re Ross Lyon dealing with the chairman.andquot;Dogs say the change was made to reduce Grant’s workload, but it’s fair to say the relationship between the two men is no longer the strongest. This season is a must watch.andquot;Although contracted until 2025, the next campaign is critical for Beveridge after the manager failed to finish in the top eight in 2023.Long-term coach and #039; a name recently linked with a possible Fremantle sack. Justin Longmuir is leaving the Dockers but the West Australian club is denying the rumours.Beveridge has had winning seasons in the past five years but has made just three finals appearances since leading the Bulldogs to a drought in 2016.The Dog Sand#039; the new campaign begins against Melbourne in Round 1 at the MCG on Sunday 17 March.Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is said to have a “shattered” relationship with managing director of football Chris Grant ahead of a crucial season.Beveridge is under contract until the end of 2025 but will move in 2024 and is expected to lead the club’s turnaround after the play-off exit.Dogfights in 2023 led to an overhaul of the football department, which led to a number of role changes with the aim of maximizing efficiency and cohesion in 2024. Braden Ingram ofNine News reported on Thursday that the relationship between Beveridge and Grant was the victim of a difficult year which included the decision to part ways with long-term staff member Rohan Smith despite opposition from Beveridge.”I can tell you tonight that the relationship between director of football Chris Grant and Luke Beveridge is strained,” Ingram said.“Beveridge is understood to have wanted to keep assistant Rohan Smith, who left last year, but Grant and chief executive Ameet Bains had differing views which contributed to the strained relationship.”After asking Geelong’s Matthew Egan to become head of training, the Dogs promoted him to general manager of football just months later following a review of the football department, meaning Beveridge effectively reports not directly to Grant but to Egan.”Ingram noted that the arrangement was viewed by several other clubs as “very unusual” except at St Kilda, where Ross Lyon reports to club president Andrew Bassat.”The dogs say the change was made to lighten Grant’s workload, but it’s fair to say the relationship between the two men is no longer the strongest,” Ingram said..