As he announced his retirement from the MCC after 17 years of running Australia's historic sports ground, Gough said a global plan for the entire precinct, including a renovation of Richmond station and bridging over Brunton Avenue and the railway lines, needed to be seriously looked at.

Gough said McGuire's plan for the precinct was hijacked by the fact it included plans for a new stadium and became a binary choice of keeping Etihad Stadium or adopting McGuire's stadium.

But Gough said McGuire's plans included the important acknowledgement that there needed to be a big picture view of the precinct, including decking over Brunton Avenue and the railway lines to properly connect the entire sports precinct.

Those plans would also require a significant rebuild and renovation of Richmond Station as elevated decking would not funnel people properly into the existing infrastructure.

"I think there needs to be a total look at the precinct. Despite some of the critics of Eddie's proposal because it became all about a new stadium, he put up a proposal that we deal with Punt Road and the separation of the two precincts, deal with the issue of cars, parking, parks, trains and transport," Gough said.

"I think for the future of Melbourne as a sporting capital we need a proper link between the two precincts and that would be of enormous significance to Melbourne.

"I do think that is the next big thing that the club [MCC] will have to look at but that requires discussions with government, with the Melbourne and Olympic Park Trust, the AFL, tennis, councils ... it requires a 30 to 40-year vision for the precinct.

"Richmond station eventually has to be done because it's still a major transport hub but at the moment it is suffering from its infrastructure. You cannot have elevated decking and not do the station."

McGuire's $1 billion proposal was to build over the railway lines and Brunton Avenue and construct a new 60,000-seat stadium next to the MCG and have Hisense Arena moved. His proposal also suggested changes to Richmond Station, possibly even moving it underground.

The funding for this new stadium would come in large part from the AFL selling Etihad Stadium once it takes ownership of it. The stadium will be handed over to the AFL in 10 years unless there was an early buy out.

Gough said regardless of the merit of whether there is a new stadium involved, a global approach needed to be taken to the entire precinct.

Gough has not set his departure date from the MCC yet. He will remain in charge until a suitable replacement is found and a handover period undertaken. It is likely that could mean he remains in charge until early-to-mid next year.

Gough came to the job at the MCC after 18 years at Carlton Football Club, the last six of which were as chief executive.

"It is a sad day because I have been here for so long. It has been such a major part of my life for the last 17 years," Gough said.

He said he would most likely look to work in part-time roles after leaving the MCC but doubted he would return to a role at Carlton.

"I look at the size of the football departments at clubs now compared to when I was there and I feel prehistoric and that is only 17 years ago," he said.