Alastair Clarkson twist emerges as Carlton coaching mess rolls on

As Carlton coach David Teague is made to wait to learn his fate, Alastair Clarkson has made a call on his immediate coaching future.

Alastair Clarkson is warming to the idea of coaching Carlton.

Alastair Clarkson has reportedly ruled himself out of the race for the Carlton coaching job, as David Teague continues to be left in limbo.

The position of Carlton’s head coach remains up in the air, after the club delayed making a decision on Teague’s future earlier this week.

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Footy pundits were expecting the Blues to announce Teague had been sacked on Monday but instead they cancelled a scheduled all-club meeting and said they would take time to digest the findings of a review into their football department before making any decisions.

Carlton President Luke Sayers issued a letter to members saying the Blues would not be rushed into making major calls by “external expectations or pressure”.

AFL experts argue Carlton has delayed making a call on Teague to wait and see if they can lure ex-Hawthorn coach Clarkson to the top job at the Blues.

The 53-year-old, who will be replaced by Sam Mitchell next season, had previously said he is keen to take a year off from football.

According to Channel 7 AFL reporter Tom Browne, Clarkson has confirmed via his manager he will not coach an AFL club in 2022.

Carlton is waiting to see if Clarkson wants to coach the Blues. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He is fully committed to taking the year off to spend time with his family and to undertake further study and personal development opportunities,” Clarkson’s manager James Henderson told Channel 7.

Henderson confirmed Clarkson had received approaches from some AFL clubs this week but none of those discussions had progressed to an advanced stage.

The latest development is a blow for Carlton’s hopes of finding a potential replacement for Teague, who remains in the dark about whether he will be coaching the Blues next season.

On Tuesday night, Fox Footy reporter Tom Morris believed Clarkson was “firming” for the Carlton job and the position is his if he wants it.

“Alastair Clarkson is more open to coaching next year than perhaps he was even a week or a few days ago,” Morris told 3AW’s Sportsday.

“On that basis, he would have to be firming for the Carlton job.

“We know that things can change and this can move pretty quickly, but if Clarkson wants that Carlton job, it is his.

“I’m told Clarkson is now more open to it than he was (previously). It may not be the best news for David Teague, but clearly it’s what Carlton is gunning for.

“If they can get Clarkson, it might mean the last few weeks of pain are worth it.”

Alastair Clarkson will not coach in AFL club in 2022. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, former Carlton assistant coach John Barker believes it’s disappointing Teague has been hung out to dry in such a public manner while the Blues try to lock down Clarkson’s signature.

“You’ve got to feel for Teague in this situation. Regardless of your personal opinion on whether you think he’s the man to take the club forward, having it play out in the public forum and having it extend for such a long period of time (is not good),” Barker told Sportsday.

“I think it would be fair and reasonable for someone from the club over the last couple of months to just come out and talk about the challenges he is facing and acknowledging that he is up against it at the moment in terms of the situation that has presented.

“It’s a challenging situation and not just for him, but the whole staff and the coaches. They’re all really good people.

“Having it play out in the public forum, it’s a tough gig. He’s got kids.

“You’ve got to remember that these guys have got families and kids and we’ve got to understand that.”

“There needs to be a little bit more care for people in these situations.

“It would have been great if someone from the club had come out and got on the front foot with the media and said, ‘Maybe you need to back down and he’s currently our coach and regardless of what happens in the review he’s doing a great job right now through such a challenging time’.”

The delay is a torture test for David Teague. Photo: Michael Klein

Under Teague’s two full seasons in charge, Carlton finished 11th in 2020 and 13th this year, prompting speculation he had coached his final game after a loss to GWS on the weekend.

Should Teague eventually be shown the door, Ross Lyon has also emerged as a contender for the role — along with Clarkson — after the former St Kilda and Fremantle mentor revealed on TV last week he would be interested should Carlton come calling.

Originally published as Alastair Clarkson twist emerges as Carlton coaching mess rolls on