Alastair Clarkson speaks to his players during North Melbourne’s clash against Sydney in round 24, 2026. Picture: Getty Images<\/p>\n
NORTH Melbourne has sacked senior coach Alastair Clarkson with a year remaining on his contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a stunning development, North players were called to an emergency meeting at Arden Street on Wednesday morning, where they were told that Clarkson would no longer coach the club.\u00a0<\/p>\n
North Melbourne president Sonja Hood and general manager of football Todd Viney will address the media at 2pm AEST. Viney is expected to stay in his role despite his long-time colleague Clarkson’s departure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Clarkson has been in charge of the Roos since 2023, winning just 20 of his 82 games in charge, including nine this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The former North Melbourne player came to Arden Street after 17 years coaching at Hawthorn, where he guided the club to four premierships and a 58.8 per cent winning record.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The club said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon that Clarkson was told of the club’s decision\u00a0 after a period of consultation with football department staff after the end of the season.<\/p>\n
“We asked Alastair to give our club stability and strength and help return us to the top of the AFL ladder,” Hood said.<\/p>\n
“Four years later, we have created an environment where our staff and players want to be at our club. This is a testament to the culture Alastair has helped create and the belief that he has built in this group.<\/p>\n
“Although we have clearly made progress and won more games, we won’t shy away from our desire to want more from this talented group.<\/p>\n
“We are incredibly grateful to Alastair for the work he\u2019s done over the last four years and we wish him all the very best for his next chapter.”<\/p>\n
Alastair Clarkson watches on during North Melbourne’s clash against Gold Coast in round 11, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
Clarkson said in a statement released by his manager, James Henderson, that reviving North’s fortunes had been “difficult”.<\/p>\n
“My time as coach of the North Melbourne Football Club has come to an end,” Clarkson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We set out to stabilise the club and lay the foundations for a return to playing deep in September.<\/p>\n
“The challenge was a difficult one that I embraced with my whole being.<\/p>\n
“My family and I have been privileged to be involved in AFL football for over 40 years, but it now time for a new chapter.”<\/p>\n
Clarkson said in early August that he wasn’t in a hurry to push for an extension of his current five-year contract at North, saying “all I require is a handshake and a wink and a nod, and that’ll do me”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alastair Clarkson shares a laugh with North Melbourne president Sonja Hood after being appointed senior coach on August 19, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
“I’m really here to serve the footy club … it’s not just me, but those that are in leadership positions at the club have done a really good job stabilising the footy club,” Clarkson said ahead of North Melbourne’s eventual win over the Western Bulldogs in round 22.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We’re really keen to progress and get ourselves up the ladder, but all we do know is that that’s done best when you’ve got stability.”<\/p>\n
North will become the third club with a new senior coach in 2027 after Essendon appointed Mark McVeigh to replace Brad Scott, and Carlton signed interim coach Josh Fraser on a permanent basis after parting ways with Michael Voss.<\/p>\n
Clarkson was appointed in August 2022, coming in after previous coach David Noble had won just five of his 38 games at the helm.<\/p>\n