Adelaide say they are disappointed with assistant coach Todd Viney's decision to leave the club mid-contract to take up a role with former club Melbourne.

The Crows said Viney had told the club he'd be leaving his role as Adelaide assistant coach to become Melbourne's general manager of player development.

Viney, a South Australian, has strong ties to Melbourne where he played 233 games from 1987 to 1999 including the last two seasons as captain.

"The club is disappointed that Todd has decided to not fulfil his contract but is also understanding of the unique circumstances surrounding his decision," the Crows said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The Adelaide Football Club is thankful to Todd, his wife Meagan, and the Viney family for his commitment to his assistant coaching role over the past two years and we wish them all the best back in Melbourne."

Viney's former Demons team-mate Jim Stynes is Melbourne president and has successfully helped the club raise millions of dollars in a massive debt-reduction campaign.

A member of Hawthorn's coaching staff in their premiership year of 2008 before joining the Crows, Viney is optimistic about Melbourne's hopes of climbing back up the AFL ladder.

"I'm really ecstatic to be returning to the club at such an exciting time," Viney said.

"Jim, the board, and everybody at the club have done an amazing job in revitalising it over the last couple of years.

"I look forward to assisting the club to move forward in its quest to deliver the Melbourne members, supporters and past players a 13th premiership (none since 1964), and to consistently challenge for AFL premierships over a sustained period of time."

Viney will report to Demons football manager Chris Connolly.

"Todd's appointment to this senior role will help us ensure we give all our players a development framework that will set them up for long and successful careers," Connolly said.

"In particular, the next three to four years will be a critical development period for many of our emerging young players."

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