AFL club Carlton have appointed Alan Richardson as senior assistant coach after the former Collingwood player spent the past two years on Essendon's coaching staff.

Richardson has also been an assistant coach with the Western Bulldogs and a player development coach for the Magpies.

"Alan has developed a wonderful coaching reputation and his experience as an assistant coach and a player development coach will be valuable for the Carlton Football Club in this senior position in our coaching panel in 2011," football operations manager Steven Icke said on Wednesday.

Richardson said: "I am excited at this opportunity to work closely with Brett Ratten and the other coaches in what is a more senior role for me."

Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said Richardson had made a strong contribution in his two seasons at Essendon.

"Alan has been offered a very senior coaching role at Carlton and, considering one of our big philosophies at Essendon is about developing people, we were never going to stand in his way," Hamilton said.

New Essendon coach James Hird's staff changes have continued with assistant coach Gary O'Donnell also departing after six years in the role.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP