Mark Robinson analyses Brett Ratten's remarkable media conference after the heart-breaking disappointment of being axed as Carlton coach.

Mick Malthouse and Eddie McGuire after Collingwood's defeat in last year's Grand Final. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD feared it could "kill'' Mick Malthouse if it had not enacted a coaching transition three years ago.

Magpie president Eddie McGuire revealed today the club feared the stress of coaching an AFL club, along with other issues going on in Malthouse's life at the time, were the only reasons for the deal that saw Nathan Buckley appointed senior coach this year.

McGuire's heartfelt comments come as Malthouse is expected to be appointed Carlton coach for 2013 after Brett Ratten's sacking.

"I heard on Neil Mitchell's program this morning, Mick was at pains to point out the agonising decision of whether to put himself through the mental and physical anguish of coaching the game and the emotional toll that it could put on his family,'' McGuire said.

"I think that give you an insight into the dilemma we faced three years ago at Collingwood.

"Mick is a mighty person and an amazing coach. But his closest confidant and his manager Peter Sidwell and I met and we were a little worried at that stage that we might kill him because he put so much into it, all the stress and the things we were going on in his life at that stage.

"The stress was so much on him and you could hear it in his voice on radio this morning.

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Eddie feared for Mick's life