Mick Malthouse has been appointed as Carlton's new coach after signing a three-year deal to take charge of the Blues.

The three-time premiership coach was unveiled as the Blues mentor at a media conference on Tuesday.

He replaces Brett Ratten, who was sacked last month after the Blues failed to qualify for the finals.

"It does give me a great sense of honour to be given the opportunity to coach this famous club," Malthouse said.

"I just see it as an extension of life, to be able to stay in the game of football and more importantly ... to be offered the coaching job and be part of this football club."

Malthouse, who has denied any involvement in Ratten's dismissal, will commence his new role on November 1.

He stepped down as Collingwood coach in 2011 after a 38-point grand final defeat to Geelong.

And the 59-year-old says he had no contact with Carlton until after Ratten's departure was confirmed.

"There are going to be those naysayers who say it happened previous to that," Malthouse said.

He insists the first contact he had with the Blues was a meeting with club officials eight days ago.

An early matter for Malthouse's reign will be whether the Blues recruit out-of-contract Magpies key forward Travis Cloke.

Asked if he would go after Cloke, Malthouse replied: "absolutely".

Cloke played under Malthouse at the Magpies after making his senior debut in 2005.

Malthouse is set to overtake Collingwood legend Jock McHale's record of 714 matches as a senior coach.

He is on 664 matches after his stints at the Bulldogs, West Coast and the Magpies.

The Blues have not confirmed who will assist Malthouse in 2013, saying the decision will be made internally at a later date.

Assistant coaches Mark Riley, Paul Williams and Alan Richardson are believed to be at risk of losing their jobs.

Blues president Stephen Kernahan admits "there could be a change" in the assistant coaching ranks.

Meanwhile, Malthouse paid tribute to late Port Adelaide midfielder John McCarthy, who fell to his death on an end of season trip to Las Vegas last weekend.

Malthouse coached McCarthy during their time together at the Magpies.

"It does put things in perspective," Malthouse said.

"It's one of those moments when we come to realise that being an AFL footballer doesn't make you immune to tragedies."

ABC/AAP