Hawthorn are expected to reach a compromise with Brendon Bolton in coming days that should see the newly named Carlton coach not take over at the Blues at least until the end of the home-and-away season.

Bolton, 36, was told on Monday night that he had won the senior coaching job ahead of caretaker John Barker. Barker has been asked to remain at the Blues as part of the new coaching team in an agreement reached with the club when he took over from the sacked Mick Malthouse.

The Blues' board ratified the Bolton appointment late on Monday. The decision was reached late last week although the former North Hobart captain-coach, who managed a 5-0 winning record when he stepped in for the ill Alastair Clarkson last year, had not been told over the weekend he had won the job.