FORMER Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says the time has come for Eddie McGuire to stand down as Collingwood president.

McGuire, who was elected president of the Magpies when they were dwindling at the bottom of the AFL ladder and in financial trouble, has helped his beloved club return to powerhouse status over the past 16 years, which included a premiership in 2010.

However the Pies have suffered a form slump during the second half of this season and are likely to miss the finals for the first time in nine years.

Kennett said Collingwood needed a fresh face in the president’s chair.

“I don’t believe any leader should be in a job for much longer than six to nine years. (McGuire) has been there double that (time),” Kennett told 3AW.

“I think it’s time, in the interests of the club, that he hands over to a successor.”

Kennett, who stood down as Hawks president after six years, also predicted Collingwood would “not be a force on the field for another five years”.

“Once you lose your mojo ... once you slip from that top competitive level ... it’s hard to get back up there without a rebuilding process,” he said.

“The buck stops with the club president at every club.”