Ratten appointment confirmed
20/08/2007 8:17 PM
Carlton has confirmed current caretaker coach Brett Ratten will coach the club in 2008.
The club's vice-president and Ratten's former team-mate, Stephen Kernahan, confirmed the decision outside MC Labour Park on Monday night.
"We got our bloke," Kernahan said.
"We wanted a specific person to coach our young group and to see 'Ratts' out there every day kicking and marking and teaching - that's what we want."
The Carlton board met and ratified the appointment on Monday night during its monthly meeting.
Ratten and officials are set to face the media before the Blues round 21 clash against the Kangaroos on Saturday.
According to a statement from the club, the board broke from common practice and announced the decision immediately to best serve its members.
"The board decided to make this announcement tonight to ensure the Carlton members and supporters were aware of this decision as soon as possible after it had been confirmed by the board," the statement read.
"While normal protocol is to not discuss the outcome of board meetings immediately following the meeting, on this occasion it was considered to be in the best interests of Carlton members and supporters as well as general football supporters and the sports media."