Alastair Clarkson will begin his transition back to the role of senior coach of the North Melbourne Football Club next week after he spent time away focusing on his physical and mental well-being.

Clarkson will spend the next month integrating back into the program with a view to returning to the senior coaching role before the end of the current season.

Brett Ratten will remain as senior coach and will fulfill all the duties that’s included in that role for the next period of time.

Clarkson's initial focus will be around game analysis, including game trends and opposition analysis and working with the coaching group on game plan and strategy. He won't be part of the club's match day set-up in the short-term. 

North Melbourne president Dr Sonja Hood said that Clarkson had made the brave and right call to step away and focus on his mental and physical health, but he was now ready to come back into the football department. 

"We are pleased that Alastair has been able to get the support he needs to return to the club and work towards doing what he loves most and does best – coach the team," Dr Hood said.

"We've had some really good dialogue with Alastair and we're all comfortable he's ready to make a return into the football department ahead of getting back in the senior coach's chair later this season.

"In the meantime, Brett Ratten and the rest of the coaching group will continue to lead and develop the playing group.

"It's also really important to acknowledge the work Brett, Todd Viney and the rest of the footy department have done in Alastair's absence so that his return will be as smooth as possible."