David Teague has completed a meteoric and improbable rise to become Carlton's new fulltime AFL coach.
The former North Melbourne and Blues defender has signed a three-year deal after guiding the Blues to five wins in nine games since replacing the sacked Brendon Bolton on a caretaker basis after round 11.
Teague, 38, received enthusiastic backing from the playing group, including skipper Patrick Cripps.
"While I am proud to be given this great opportunity to coach our football club, my overwhelming feeling is excitement for what we can achieve together," Teague said in a statement on Thursday.
"The support that not only myself, but our entire playing and coaching group have felt, is a real sign that the entire Carlton family believes in the direction we are heading.
"I will be giving everything I have to see our club achieve success and I have no doubt our players will give their heart and soul as well.
"Off the back of the incredible support received so far from our fans, I'm confident that our unity as a football club is one that is capable of delivering our members premierships."
Teague will front a media conference at Ikon Park at 1030 AEST alongside Blues president Mark LoGiudice and CEO Cain Liddle.
"We set out to find the very best coach to hit the ground running and take our football club forward," Liddle said.
"We could not have been clearer with all candidates that the expectations of our members was immediate and significant improvement in performance.
"I think I can speak on behalf of all our members when I say that we have definitely seen that."
Teague played a total of 83 games across six seasons with North Melbourne and Carlton from 2001-06, winning the Blues' best-and-fairest award in 2004.
After being delisted by Carlton in 2007 he stepped straight into a player-coach role with the club's VFL affiliate.
In 2011 he moved to West Coast as an assistant coach and also spent time on the staff at St Kilda and Adelaide before being lured back to the Blues in 2017.
Teague's appointment continues a remarkable run for AFL caretaker coaches in 2019.
Rhyce Shaw has already received the nod to succeed Brad Scott at North Melbourne while Brett Ratten is the hot favourite to win the fulltime role at St Kilda after filling the void left by Alan Richardson.
The Blues play the Saints on Saturday.