Ross Lyon has said he is ready to "give everything" the second time round, after St Kilda's announcement that he is the Saints new coach.
Lyon returned to Moorabbin as senior coach on Monday with a new four-year deal, 11 years after he sensationally left the club for Fremantle.
The 55-year-old will replace Brett Ratten, who was sacked less than a fortnight ago, despite signing a two-year contract extension just months earlier.
That shock decision came after a poor second half to the Saints' season, following a promising beginning to the year.
Speaking to the media, Lyon said that when he spoke to St Kilda's board about what the club meant to him he got "really emotional".
"AFL coaching is incredibly challenging, it takes you to places sometimes that men or women shouldn't go," he said.
"But I'm really up for the fight. I feel like I'm ready to take the emotional risk to give everything without any guarantees."
Lyon said he wasn't sure that he was now "cuddly Ross", but acknowledged the need to do things differently in his second stint with the club.
"It's a blank canvass here … I've been guilty of not bringing everyone on the journey … I want to bring everyone on the journey [here at St Kilda]," he said.
Lyon said he had not enjoyed the media narrative about St Kilda during the club's recent run without success.
"[I want to] get as good as we can, as quick as we can," he said.
"I don't know how long it will take, but I know it can be done.
"In my coaching resume there is unfinished business. I need to climb Everest and I want to do it with this team."
Lyon said that a key part of his decision was the feeling that — with club president Andrew Bassat, chief executive Simon Lethlean and football manager Geoff Walsh — he was the final piece of the "four pillars" needed for a top club.
St Kilda earlier confirmed the appointment in a letter to members.
"On behalf of the Board, we are incredibly pleased to be announcing Ross Lyon as our AFL senior coach," president Andrew Bassat wrote.
"Ross's unwavering pursuit of on- and off-field excellence is exactly what we believe we need to take this club forward.
"While his senior coaching record and reputation as a leader speaks for itself, Ross has a clear passion for St Kilda and is determined to bring the club and its people long-awaited success."
Lyon met with club powerbrokers in recent days — including Bassat and Lethlean — as the Saints homed in on their only candidate and negotiated a deal for him to return.
"I have always had a strong affinity to the Saints, and it feels incredible to be back here as senior coach," Lyon said to members.
"I have unfinished business with St Kilda and want to play a role in delivering success to the industry's most loyal fans."
In September, Lyon ruled himself out as a candidate to become Essendon's next coach.
Lyon enjoyed a successful period at the helm of the Saints when he led the club to grand finals in 2009 and 2010 before he was lured to the Dockers in 2011.
He took the Dockers to four successive finals series, including their maiden grand final in 2013, before results dived and he was sacked in 2019.
He has since moved into the commercial property sector and established himself as a prominent football media commentator.
"I have kept a close eye on the competition since leaving the coaching ranks and have used this time to grow in areas I believe will assist me in this next chapter of my football career," Lyon said.
