Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson reveals why he quit the club as President Jeff ...

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson reveals why he quit the club as President Jeff ...
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson reveals why he quit the club as President Jeff ...

Hawthorn's contentious succession plan has become untenable after less than a month, with legendary coach Alastair Clarkson to exit the Hawks at the end of the AFL season.

The Hawks have brought forward Clarkson's planned departure by a year, with the four-time premiership coach to hand over the reins to Sam Mitchell after the club's round 23 game against Richmond.

Hawthorn president, Jeff Kennett, refuted claims he and other senior staff misled members with their coaching handover and caused friction within the club. 

'We've come to the realisation that this footy club needed some fresh air from 2022 onwards,' Alastair Clarkson said

'We've come to the realisation that this footy club needed some fresh air from 2022 onwards,' Alastair Clarkson said

Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett (pictured right) has explained the clubs early dumping of legendary AFL coach Alastair Clarkson as the club believes it will do more harm than good to keep him in the job till the end of the season

Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett (pictured right) has explained the clubs early dumping of legendary AFL coach Alastair Clarkson as the club believes it will do more harm than good to keep him in the job till the end of the season

'No I don't think we've misled the members, we've done what we thought was the best thing. We thought it would work - as it turned out it's caused a lot of confusion, no one is perfect, I accept responsibility for that and we adjust,' Mr Kennett said in a press conference.

Hawthorn announced on July 6 that the most decorated coach of the modern era would remain in charge throughout the 2022 season and Mitchell would continue leading the Hawks' VFL team Box Hill.

Clarkson, Mitchell and Hawthorn have all been adamant that the plan would work and have hit out at reports saying otherwise.

But the club conceded this week during a series of meetings that the prolonged handover would do more harm than good and have opted to cut ties soon rather than allow Clarkson to coach into an 18th season.

The 53-year-old fronted a press conference with Mitchell at Waverley Park on Friday afternoon.

'We've come to the realisation that this footy club needed some fresh air from 2022 onwards,' Clarkson said.

'I'm so grateful to the club and for the opportunity that I've had and for the support I've had from the Hawthorn people.

'I

read more from dailymail.....

PREV More than 150 cattle died on a ship from Darwin. It could result in a ... mogaznewsen
NEXT In news vacuum, rumours and concern swirl over Catherine mogaznewsen