What's happening at the moment is unfortunate, but was completely foreseeable IMO. Possibly even inevitable. Many of us understood the reasons for Ratten's appointment in late 2007 ('putting the Carlton back in Carlton', easy sell to members after the Pagan years, good footy brain etc), but had serious reservations at the time that he was going to be the coach to guide us to the promised land. For some reason, I've always had an 'interim coach' feeling about Ratten's appointment.

I really wanted Ratten to succeed (I still do), but I've never been able to picture him as a premiership coach. I get the impression that the club has shared my doubts all along, but, like me, hoped that Ratten would grow and develop into an elite coach. From the outside looking in, he certainly appeared to improve (perhaps surrounding him with some of the best credentialed assistants helped) but I honestly think the club has now made up its mind up that he's taken us as far as he can. We need someone else to take us to the next level. As Maclure said on 360 last night, Ratten may or may not see the season out - but he won't be in charge next year.

Ratten should be proud of what he's achieved - he helped us off the floor and walked us slowly to the window. The window is open but he can't find a way to get us through it. Time for him to step aside, IMO.

He comes across as a ripping bloke, a passionate Carlton man (I dare say he loves the club as much or more than any supporter) and a very knowledgeable footy person. But as Maclure said, the role of AFL Coach has evolved to the point of being comparable in corporate terms to a GM or CEO of a major company. Does anyone see Ratten that way? Is he an effective 'coach of the coaches'? Or is he a well-meaning, very hard-working, ex-champion player and massive footy head?

I'm the first to admit that it's risky to assess the performance of coaches unless you're inside the club, but Ratten certainly gives the impression (and, like it or not, perception is reality in this business) of being in over his head as an AFL Head Coach. I don't think that's "Ratten bashing", it's just my opinion based on my observations over the last 5 years.

Believe it or not, I love the bloke. However, I love the club more.

He would be terrific as a line coach at AFL level, or even a senior coach at VFL level. It's probably unrealistic, but I'd love him to stay on at Carlton as midfield or forward coach. Give him one area of football to focus on, rather than manage an entire department. I doubt very much that will happen (I don't think he'll want to hang around when the axe falls, and you couldn't blame his successor for not being comfortable working with the man he replaced).

What I don't want is for Ratten to be the scapegoat for all of our problems. The entire club needs to be looked at - the President, CEO, Board, fitness/medical staff, assistant coaches, players, recruiting staff, communications, marketing - I would expect minor or major changes in all those areas over the summer.

Can we trust the people in charge to cause a comprehensive review of all aspects of the club's operation? And if the review is legitimately independent, can we trust the club to act appropriately on all recommendations? Can we trust the club to follow a sound process in identifying and appointing a long-term replacement coach?

I guess we have no choice...

What's happening at the moment is unfortunate, but was completely foreseeable IMO. Possibly even inevitable. Many of us understood the reasons for Ratten's appointment in late 2007 ('putting the Carlton back in Carlton', easy sell to members after the Pagan years, good footy brain etc), but had serious reservations at the time that he was going to be the coach to guide us to the promised land. For some reason, I've always had an 'interim coach' feeling about Ratten's appointment.

Wasn't Ratt's also in-line for the Melbourne gig at this time? Had a few things going for him and potential on the coaching scene.
It's a pity more players can't graft from him on how to dig into a contest, combat and will the most from oneself like he did on the field. On-field leaders, please stand up, show some heart and spirit.

You might be right, but I don't remember him being in the mix for the Melbourne gig in 2007. Once we missed out on Voss, Ratten always had the Carlton job. He was an assistant under Daniher at Melbourne in 2004. I remember Sheedy being interviewed by Melbourne in 2007. Bailey got the job obviously, but I don't remember who else they interviewed (maybe Brian Royal, Guy McKenna & Barry Mitchell?).

Ratten was in the mix for the Melbourne job. I remember footage of him on the Footy Show going into an interview while he was our interim coach. He then withdrew from the race and concentrated on the Carlton job. I got the feeling he had been told he had the job with Carlton.

Fair enough. I do remember he had the least assistant coaching experience of the names in the mix for senior coaching jobs that year (except for Voss).

Come to think of it, 2007 wasn't a particularly successful year for appointing coaches - Knights, Bailey, Harvey, Ratten, Voss...

Alan Richardson came across well on 360.

Just listened to him on 360. Said Ratten will be gone by years end and he has known that for a while.

Might be gone earlier if the lose to Pies & Roos.

Parko was indignant and upset last nite on AFL Teams.
Showed Ratt's winning game stats. Didn't say he should stay beyond this year, but did say he was appalled with the treatment from the press.
Said we should wait until more injured players are back, and see how the team performs then.
Said Ratts was second to none in his understanding of the game, and in his game preparation.

I guess having a great footy brain might also mean overthinking things sometimes, or that the best laid plans don't always execute well.
Anyway, keeping him till years end, or at least to see what happens when Waitey and Murph come back in, and hopefully Hendo, seems the decent thing to do.
Especially if you believe that the problem is far wider spread than just with the head coach.

Footy's changed a lot in the 12 years Parko's been away.

I'll bet he's right and that Ratts has a great footy brain. But senior coaching gig is way more complicated all-encompassing than that now. As many have said, ratt's great footy brain would translate well to a line coach/assistant role. But he needs more than that to be one of the best.

I really agreewith that, and hope he'd stay on in that role next year.

Can't happen unfortunately.
You can't have a senior coach come in and have the guy you had sacked report to you. Just unworkable and uncomfortable.