OUTSPOKEN former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has hinted four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson is not the man to lead the rebuilding Hawks into their next phase. 

Kennett spent six years alongside Clarkson and was at the helm in 2008 when Hawthorn won its first premiership under the former North Melbourne and Melbourne midfielder. 

The Hawks went on to win a flag three-peat between 2013 and 2015 after Kennett stepped down in 2011, rubber stamping their status as the modern era's most dominant team. 

Clarkson's bold decision to trade experienced on-ballers Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis after last season was followed by a winless first four rounds this year. 

The Mitchell and Lewis departures coincided with Hawthorn's decision to lure Jaeger O'Meara, Tom Mitchell and Ty Vickery from other clubs. 

Clarkson took over from Peter Schwab for the 2005 season, after a campaign in which the Hawks won just four of 22 matches, and oversaw the exits of veterans Rayden Tallis, Mark Graham and Kris Barlow. 

Key forward Nathan Thompson was also shipped to North Melbourne. 

Premiership stars Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne and Josh Gibson could join Mitchell and Lewis in leaving at the end of this season. 

"I've always believed … a leadership position should normally be occupied between six and nine years," Kennett told SEN's breakfast program. 

"If you haven't achieved what you want to in that period of time, you might as well give it away for someone else. 

"If you have achieved what you want, then you ought to give it away, so that someone else can keep the momentum going.

"Clarko has been there a long time, Eddie McGuire has been (Collingwood president) longer than the Ark – is this all good for those organisations?"

Kennett's latest view contrasted with his comments in a Fairfax publication leading up to the Easter Monday clash with Geelong, where he backed Clarkson to stay at Hawthorn.