LONG-TERM Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has confirmed 2020 will be his last year in charge.

Kennett has had two stints at the helm of the Hawks, his first running from 2005 to 2011, before returning at the end of the 2017 season.

Andrew Newbold (2012-16) and Richard Garvey (2016-17) held the position in the intervening years.

"I've informed the board, so yes, this will be my last year as president," Kennett told News Corp.

"I never intended to come back, but I was asked to by the board because of what had happened with the mess up over the former CEO (Tracey Gaudry) and to re-right the ship.

"I will have done nine years (over two terms) and I only intended ever to do six. It's time for others to continue to build."

The Hawthorn board parted ways with former CEO Gaudry five months into her appointment in 2017, after which Kennett returned to his role as president.