Alastair Clarkson nearly locked in for three more years, CEO confirms
HAWTHORN is just days away from announcing a new deal for Alastair Clarkson to remain coach of the club.
Speaking on radio station SEN 1116 on Thursday, Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox said negotiations with the dual premiership coach are "effectively done".
Clarkson's existing deal runs out at the end of the season, but Fox said the contract extension will be for a further two years, which would keep him at the club at least until the end of 2016.
"He's very, very close. We're just tidying up some paperwork, so there's no issue there," he said.
"It will be for three years, but he effectively had one year to run and he's been given a two-year extension."
He said the club and coach were just finalising the paperwork before making the announcement, which could be made at the club's family day this Sunday.
Fox told the radio station that Clarkson's ability to reinvent himself and keep things fresh was a big reason for his longevity at the club.
Clarkson is entering his 10th season as Hawthorn coach and has won 129 games of his 213 games, with a winning percentage of 61 per cent.
He led the club to the 2008 and 2013 premierships.
Playing to Win, a new book about the club's march to the 2013 flag, revealed he was almost sacked by the Hawks in 2010 after the club lost six of its first seven matches.