PETER Gordon sought reassurance from AFL bosses Mike Fitzpatrick and Andrew Demetriou before agreeing to return to the helm of the Western Bulldogs after 17 years.

The former Bulldogs president, who took over the club and saved it from merging with Fitzroy in 1989, will replace David Smorgon at the club's annual general meeting in December after Smorgon stepped down at Monday night's board meeting.

Club director Susan Alberti, who is recovering from open-heart surgery, will be Gordon's vice-president.

The international legal figure told The Age last month that he would only return to the club if he felt that drastic circumstances demanded it. While Smorgon has overseen close to two decades of relative stability, transformed facilities and on-field improvement, the club remains reliant on AFL support and has faced a number of challenges as it attempts to rebuild its football list.

Gordon, accompanied by Smorgon, held talks with Fitzpatrick, Demetriou and Gillon McLachlan at AFL headquarters on Monday and was reassured regarding the Bulldogs' ongoing viability.