Nathan Buckley’s girlfriend Alex Pike breaks silence as he steps down as Collingwood coach

Nathan Buckley’s girlfriend Alex Pike has broken her silence after he stepped down as coach for Collingwood halfway through his 10th AFL season.

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the glamorous cosmetic nurse, 44, shared an inspirational about ‘letting go’ – seemingly a reference to Nathan’s decision to quit his role with the Magpies.

‘As we let go of adventures no longer meant for us, we brought new ones aligned with our magic,’ the quote read.

Showing support: Nathan Buckley’s girlfriend Alex Pike (pictured) has broken her silence after he stepped down as coach for Collingwood halfway through his 10th AFL season

While Alex did not mention her 48-year-old boyfriend, the quote seems particularly fitting given his recent circumstances.

Alex had earlier shared two other inspirational posts on Instagram, one of which read: ‘Comfort zones: If you live in one too long… that becomes your norm. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.’

She then shared another quote: ‘What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.’ 

Cryptic: Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the cosmetic nurse, 44, shared an inspirational about 'letting go' - seemingly a reference to Nathan's decision to quit his role with the Magpies

Cryptic: Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the cosmetic nurse, 44, shared an inspirational about ‘letting go’ – seemingly a reference to Nathan’s decision to quit his role with the Magpies

Alex and Nathan, who have known each other since at least the start of the year, were pictured together for the first time last month.

The romance between the new couple is said to be ‘effortless’.

‘They are happy. It’s all good. It’s just very easy and comfortable really. They have a genuine connection,’ a friend of the couple told the Herald Sun.

Meaning: While Alex did not mention her 48-year-old boyfriend, the quote seems particularly fitting given his recent circumstances. Pictured: Nathan Buckley at the SCG on May 15

Meaning: While Alex did not mention her 48-year-old boyfriend, the quote seems particularly fitting given his recent circumstances. Pictured: Nathan Buckley at the SCG on May 15

The source added that Alex isn’t after fame, and isn’t ‘daunted’ by the attention that comes with being a WAG either.

‘They are just into normal stuff, yoga, natural health, keeping fit and staying positive,’ they said.

Alex is a mother of three based in South Yarra, just outside Melbourne’s CBD, but also has a home in Albury.

Hmm: Alex earlier shared two other posts on Instagram, one of which read: 'Comfort zones: If you live in one too long, that becomes your norm. Get comfortable being uncomfortable'

Hmm: Alex earlier shared two other posts on Instagram, one of which read: ‘Comfort zones: If you live in one too long, that becomes your norm. Get comfortable being uncomfortable’

Profound: She then shared another quote: 'What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others'

Profound: She then shared another quote: ‘What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others’

The pair’s relationship emerged just weeks after the champion midfielder announced his split from his wife of 18 years, Tania Minnici, last December.

Nathan was ousted as Collingwood coach midway through his 10th AFL season at the helm, paying the price for a 3-9 start to the year that had cost the Magpies a shot at reaching the finals.

Buckley, who had been at the club as player, assistant coach and senior coach since 1993, leaves the game without ever having achieved the ultimate goal of a premiership, losing two grand finals as a player and the 2018 decider as a coach.

Ousted: Nathan was ousted as Collingwood coach midway through his 10th AFL season at the helm, paying the price for a 3-9 start to the year that had cost the Magpies a shot at reaching the finals

Ousted: Nathan was ousted as Collingwood coach midway through his 10th AFL season at the helm, paying the price for a 3-9 start to the year that had cost the Magpies a shot at reaching the finals

Buckley, 48, had been in talks with club general manager of football Graham Wright over his coaching future for two months before it was decided the club would make a change.

He offered to stay in the job for the rest of the year but was told that Monday’s game against Melbourne at the SCG would be his last.

‘I have had a fair crack at it and everyone has their time,’ Buckley told a media conference via Zoom on Wednesday.

‘I’m really content with the decision that has been made.

‘Now I’ll go into the blue skies of whatever I’ll have for the rest of my life … and go on living the best life I can. It’ll always be as a Collingwood supporter.’

Split: Buckley split from his wife of 18 years Tania (right) in 2020

Split: Buckley split from his wife of 18 years Tania (right) in 2020