Hawthorn coach Peter Schwab is in the dark as to whether club president Ian Dicker will pay out the coach's contract from his own pocket.

Schwab said he did not know the truth of suggestions Dicker would personally sign a cheque for a reported $300,000 to compensate the coach for being sacked with a year of his contract to run.

Schwab agreed it would be embarrassing if accurate, as the contract was between the coach and the club, not with the president.

"I don't know if that's true or not," Schwab said.

"To suggest Ian is backing me financially is something that's never ever been discussed between myself and the club at any stage."

Hawthorn named director and former goalkicking great Jason Dunstall as the club's interim chief executive.

Dunstall, part of the board that this week sacked Schwab, will work with outgoing chief executive Steven Leighton, who announced in June he would stand down at the end of the season.

The Hawks have stressed Dunstall's appointment is temporary, as the club is still searching for Leighton's replacement.

The club said it was also comfortable with Dunstall's role in the media as a radio commentator, although he might face a potential conflict of interest.

Schwab returned to Glenferrie to take training ahead of Saturday's clash with the Kangaroos - the first of six matches left in his coaching career.

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