CARLTON football manager Andrew McKay will depart the club at the end of this season.

The Blues premiership player has been in charge of the club's football department since 2011, but McKay announced to staff and players this year would be his last at Carlton.

The club will start its process to replace McKay immediately, with the 47-year-old saying he was ready to move away from the Blues.

"The club clearly means a lot to me but the time is right to step away at the end of the season," McKay said.

"I have been here for seven years as an administrator and 11 as a player – the Carlton environment is all I know.

"I need to experience other environments to enable me to develop further. I am really open-minded to new professional challenges out there within the industry and more broadly in time to come, but I firmly believe that Carlton's football programs are now in a good position and the club is on track to get back to sustained success.

"I am incredibly thankful to the club for the opportunity to work at the Blues and I depart with some very fond memories. I am excited and energised by the opportunities ahead."

McKay played 244 games for the Blues between 1993-2003, including their 1995 flag triumph over Geelong.

After retiring at the Blues he worked at the AFL as game analysis manager and chairman of the Match Review Panel before returning to Carlton, where he is a member of the Blues' hall of fame.

"His experience and measured approach will be missed, but we understand 'Macca's' decision in wanting to explore other opportunities and after seven seasons in the head of football role, he departs with our very best wishes," chief executive Cain Liddle said.

The Blues look headed for their fifth wooden spoon since 2002, with Brendon Bolton's men registering just one win so far this season.