North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson will return to the club next week, commencing a transition back into the club after the Kangaroos confirmed a plan to have Clarkson return to his senior coaching duties before the end of the home and away season.
The club confirmed on Friday that interim coach Brett Ratten will remain in the hot seat for the "next period of time" as Clarkson eases into a return.
Clarkson stood aside from his duties at Arden Street midway through last month to focus on his mental health and well-being, with Ratten taking the lead as senior coach since the Roos' Round 10 match against Sydney.
North Melbourne provided a statement confirming Clarkson will return to the club as early as next week, while a timeframe on when he will resume his role as senior coach isn't as clear.
Kangaroos president Sonja Hood said players and staff were looking forward to having the four-time premiership coach back at the club.
"We are pleased that Alastair has been able to get the support he needs to return to the club and work towards doing what he loves most and does best โ coach the team," Hood said in a club statement.ย
"We've had some really good dialogue with Alastair and we're all comfortable he's ready to make a return into the football department ahead of getting back in the senior coach's chair later this season.
"In the meantime, Brett Ratten and the rest of the coaching group will continue to lead and develop the playing group.
"It's also really important to acknowledge the work Brett, Todd Viney and the rest of the footy department have done in Alastair's absence so that his return will be as smooth as possible."
North Melbourne are scheduled to face Adelaide this Saturday before upcoming matches against Geelong, Hawthorn and St Kilda.
Reports from earlier this week suggested Clarkson's likely return to coaching would come ahead of the Round 19 meeting with the Saints.
The Kangaroos sit 17th on the ladder heading into Round 15, having recorded two wins from 14 matches.
