Hawthorn great Rodney Eade says he “can’t see” the coaching succession plan involving Alastair Clarkson and Sam Mitchell working out at his former club.
Hawks assistant Mitchell will replace Clarkson as senior coach at the conclusion of the 2022 season as part of a coaching handover announced on Tuesday.
Eade, a former senior coach at Sydney, the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast, expects Clarkson and Mitchell to clash as their personalities are strikingly similar.
“I can’t see it working, as in being together,” Eade told SEN Mornings.
“(Jason) Dunstall’s already said that Alastair’s stubborn, single-minded and I think Sam Mitchell’s the same.
“It was interesting to me, and I don’t know whether I’m reading into it too much, I saw the press conference yesterday, Sam didn’t mention Alastair once.
“For me, putting two and two together, they’re going to butt heads. There’s nothing surer.
“I don’t think it’s going to work.
“He (Clarkson) will either have a year off and go with Hawthorn’s blessing, or he’ll coach next year. I can’t see the two of them working together.”
Club legends Dunstall and Dermott Brereton were both surprised by Hawthorn's decision to not renew Clarkson’s contract beyond 2022.
Hired by Dunstall in 2004, Clarkson has won four premierships during his celebrated 17-year stint as senior coach of the Hawks.