CARLTON has pledged to take care of unsuccessful coaching candidate John Barker after he "restored the club's competitive spirit" during his 12 games as interim coach.
CEO Steven Trigg said Barker had been hit hard when the news was delivered on Monday night that he had not won the full-time position, but he had returned to work on Tuesday upbeat.
The 40-year-old will coach the Blues' final two home-and-away games this season before discussions on his future under new coach Brendon Bolton, who won a tight race for the position.
Trigg said Barker hadn't put a foot wrong since taking over from Mick Malthouse in round nine and the club "couldn't be happier" with his performance.
"He was sat on his backside last night, clearly, and it's a very difficult thing for him," Trigg said.
"But as a mark of his character he bounced in this morning determined to finish off the season in a caretaker role.
"He has done a mighty job and football clubs need to care for people like that.
"[If he stays at Carlton] is a decision for after the season, but ... he gets our care in return."
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Carlton president Mark LoGiudice expressed to Barker the club's "deepest gratitude for restoring competitive spirit in team", with the Blues notching three wins under his watch and putting up fewer uncompetitive losses.
Bolton, who was unveiled at Carlton headquarters on Tuesday, said he wanted Barker to coach out the season.
The new coach plans to use the rest of the season to hold discussions on the Carlton list and his future coaching team.
Carlton's assistants include director of development and coaching Robert Wiley, Dean Laidley, Matthew Capuano, Brad Green and Northern Blues coach Luke Webster.
"Collectively I'll need to talk to the current coaches and listen to their thoughts," Bolton said.
"We'll make some decisions as to how we move forward. [The next two weeks] gives you good time and space to think about those things.
"I respect what 'JB' (Barker) has been doing and I want him to continue that."
Bolton said he wanted the club's players to understand he arrives with a blank canvas and didn't take on the job with pre-conceived ideas about their abilities.
He wouldn't comment on Lachie Henderson, who has requested a trade, or Chris Yarran, who becomes a free agent at the end of next season and has been the subject of much trade speculation.
Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, meanwhile, is a wanted player at Carlton as he approaches the end of a contract that will see him become a restricted free agent.
"For Carlton supporters who are anxious, don't be anxious," Trigg said.
"We've had good conversations with Matthew in the last 10 days before this bit of conjecture bubbled up.
"Matthew is as happy as a lark at Carlton and wants to stay. We want him to stay and get it fixed."
