Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten puts sacking in past

BRETT Ratten has urged Carlton fans to support whoever replaces him as coach.

Brett Ratten

BRETT Ratten has urged Carlton fans to support whoever replaces him as coach.

Ratten sent a letter to Carlton members today after coaching his final game against St Kilda yesterday.

Ratten was sacked last week with a year to run on his contract. He is expected to be replaced by Mick Malthouse as early as this week.

But if Ratten is bitter about losing his job, he isn't showing it.

"When the reality hit that I'd no longer be coaching Carlton, my initial gut feeling was that I'd let a lot of people down – my wife, my family, the coaches and the players," Ratten said.

"But I've come through that, life goes on and I'm really looking forward to the journey that lies ahead.

"True, the journey will not involve the dark Navy Blue, but it will pose challenges I'm equipped to face because I've learnt a lot about myself and the game.

"It's such a brutal game in so many ways, which is why I'm grateful to Carlton for having allowed me this last match to share with my family, including my two boys who may one day be lucky enough to don the guernsey."

He said yesterday's loss summed up the Blues' season with several players suffering injuries and the team wasting opportunities in front of goal.

"In saying that, our overall commitment could not be questioned and I was so very proud of how hard the players worked," Ratten said.

"In closing, I wish to thank you, as a Carlton member, for lending me your support throughout. I urge you now to get behind the new coach and the team, because it's all about "team", and to help the club realise its 50,000-membership mark."