North Melbourne announces big Alastair Clarkson news

North Melbourne has made a major announcement about the immediate future of Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos speaks with media at Arden Street on July 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Alastair Clarkson will make a return to his position as full time coach of the North Melbourne Kangaroos this month.

The football club on Wednesday announced Clarkson has returned to work with the team’s football department and will officially take over from interim coach Brett Ratten ahead of the team’s Round 21 clash with Melbourne.

It is a dramatic backflip on comments Clarkson had made 24 hours earlier when telling reporters he may not coach again this season.

Reports earlier this week suggested there are still “real concern” hanging over his health.

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Clarkson returned to North last month in recent weeks after an extended break following his implication in the Hawthorn racism scandal.

He has not coach=ed since Round 9.

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson also said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Monday the four-time premiership-winning coach still isn’t ready to take over the North reins.

“I think there’s still real concern about his physical and mental wellbeing,” she said.

“He will be back when everyone is absolutely certain he’s ready.”

Kangaroos head coach Alastair Clarkson during the round seven AFL match between Melbourne and the Kangaroos on April 29, 2023. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

North Melbourne are experiencing another dreadful campaign, stuck on two wins for the season and riding a 15-game losing streak.

Ratten will lead the side again this weekend against St Kilda, the club that sacked him as senior coach last year.

Ratten will also coach the team during their clash with West Coast in Perth before returning to his position as Clarkson’s senior assistant.

North Melbourne CEO Jennifer Watt said in a statement the club has worked hard to ensure there will be a seamless transition for Clarkson’s return.

“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,” Watt 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.

“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.

“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.”

Wilson earlier made the damning comment that the speculation over Clarkson was the only issue keeping the club relevant.

“The only thing keeping them relevant is Alastair Clarkson and the prospect of when he returns, which will be in the next few weeks,” she said.

“It’s a weird situation isn’t it ... I think the North view is he’s either coaching or he’s not coaching. You can’t have both parents there at the same time.

Brett Ratten (left) has been coaching North Melbourne during Alastair Clarkson’s leave of absence. Picture: Mark Stewart

“So when Brett Ratten is coach, he won’t have Alastair in the coaches box.

“Alastair has really barely been at the club, except as a cameo performance here and there.

“He’s started to talk again to the senior coaches. He’s looking at younger players, he’s done a lot of opposition scouting.

“Everyone says he’s a lot better, which is great.

“(But) he certainly won’t coach this week. North are still unprepared to say what day it will be (when he returns).

“It could be round 20, it could be round 21. It will definitely be by round 22 and it’s a very strange situation.”

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 this week, Ratten said Clarkson is gradually ramping up his involvement with the Kangaroos.

“I’m not privy to exactly when he’s going to come back,” Ratten said.

“But these are stepping stones each time we catch up and talk and where it looks like next week or in a few days’ time.

“But he’s had a catch up with the coaches the other night, we all sat around and talked footy, he had some ideas, we implemented some of the things.

“So yeah, he’s still part of the group.”

Asked if it would be worth Clarkson coaching the team again in 2023, Ratten replied: “I think he will. I think he’ll be coaching North Melbourne by the end of the year.”