FORMER Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has been appointed AFL Victoria's new eastern region Talent Manager.

The position includes managing last year's premiers in Victoria's TAC Cup competition, the Eastern Ranges.

Neeld said he was pleased to take on a position that involved football operations, talent identification, player welfare and development.

"It's a terrific program and competition, providing a number of players with an opportunity to be part of a high performance environment and to develop before possibly being drafted into the AFL system or go on to VFL or other levels of football," Neeld said.

Neeld coached the Demons to four wins in 33 matches before being sacked on June 17 last year, nearly 18 months before his three-year contract expired.

The club had won just one of the first 11 games, a series of losses leading to CEO Cameron Schwab being sacked and president Don McLardy resigning.

During Neeld’s tenure Melbourne underwent enormous upheaval and experienced a range of issues largely unprecedented for a new senior AFL coach.

It also revamped its list and appointed two young captains, Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes.

Before being appointed by the Demons, Neeld was regarded as one of the best young coaches in the competition.

He coached the Western Jets in the TAC Cup competition before becoming an assistant coach at Collingwood.

Since departing Melbourne Neeld has studied in New York and provided special comments on radio station K-Rock at times in 2013.

AFL Victoria's John Hook said the competition was rapt to get a person of Neeld's experience in the position.

"He has a strong background in football, from community right through to AFL level and we believe this will help him in his new role as he draws on his experiences with players, parents and key football stakeholders at all levels," Hook said.