Alastair Clarkson will ease back into work at North Melbourne, reclaiming the coaching reins from Brett Ratten before the end of the AFL season.
The four-time Hawthorn premiership coach will initially focus on game analysis and won't be part of the Kangaroos match day set-up.
Former Carlton and St Kilda mentor Ratten will remain as senior coach until Clarkson is ready to take charge again, likely to be sometime during the next month.
The 55-year-old Clarkson has been away from the club since May 18 due to the mental toll of the Hawthorn racism saga.
The AFL has since announced no adverse findings against Clarkson, Chris Fagan or Jason Burt over the allegations levelled at the former Hawks trio.
The three men have denied any wrongdoing over the claims, which were raised via an ABC report last September.
North president Sonja Hood lauded Clarkson's decision to focus on his mental health and looked forward to welcoming him back at Arden St.
"We are pleased that Alastair has been able to get the support he needs to return to the club and work towards doing what he loves most and does best - coach the team," Dr Hood said.
"We've had some really good dialogue with Alastair and we're all comfortable he's ready to make a return into the football department ahead of getting back in the senior coach's chair later this season.
"In the meantime, Brett Ratten and the rest of the coaching group will continue to lead and develop the playing group.
"It's also really important to acknowledge the work Brett, Todd Viney and the rest of the footy department have done in Alastair's absence so that his return will be as smooth as possible."
Clarkson will avoid North's round-18 game against Hawthorn due to simmering tensions with his former club.
A week before taking leave, Clarkson slammed Hawthorn as "shameful", calling for an investigation into the club's handling of the long-running racism saga, saying reputations had been "scarred".
Hawthorn are now coached by Sam Mitchell, the Hawks' captain during Clarkson's first premiership with the club in 2008.
When being inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday night, Mitchell made no mention of his coach of 12 seasons during a lengthy acceptance speech.
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