Alastair Clarkson will return to the North Melbourne coaching box prior to the end of the home-and-away season, the club has confirmed.
Clarkson has started integration back into the club over the past few weeks but a plan has now been facilitated by North Melbourne to ease their senior coach back in.
The 55-year-old had left the club for personal reasons, as he battled mental health following an investigation into racial abuse at his previous club Hawthorn.
When will Alastair Clarkson return to North Melbourne?
Clarkson will take over all senior coaching duties from interim boss Brett Ratten after the Round 20 game against West Coast.
This will see Clarkson's return to the coaches box during the Round 21 match versus Melbourne.
North Melbourne CEO Jennifer Watt said the club was happy to have Clarkson return from his time away from the game.
“We’re so pleased that Alastair can return to the role of senior coach. The time away was critical for Alastair to address his physical and mental health and it’s obvious to everyone that he’s hungry and ready to resume his place as our senior coach,” she said.
“Alastair, and indeed the whole club, has been incredibly grateful to Brett Ratten and the entire coaching group, for stepping up in his absence."
Clarkson had spent two weeks with the club prior to the announcement, as he and North Melbourne worked through the reintegration.
“We have been very purposeful with Alastair's return and integration back into the program to ensure a seamless transition for our playing group and to provide Alastair with the time to reacquaint himself with both the game and the program," Watt said.
“I’d like to reiterate the club’s thanks to Brett, Todd Viney, and all the players and staff at the club for the hard work they’ve done while Alastair has been away.
“Our members and supporters also deserve great credit for the way they have stuck by the club over what has been a really trying period.”
Why did Alastair Clarkson step away from the game?
Kangaroos leader Clarkson temporarily walked away from the AFL, with the club stating the 55-year-old had made the decision to "focus on his physical and emotional wellbeing".
Clarkson was part of an AFL investigation into alleged racism issues that occurred at his previous club Hawthorn, where he won four premierships as a coach during a stint from 2005-2021.
The veteran coach has recently been critical of the process of the AFL's investigation into the alleged incidents.
