Blake Caracella has departed the Cats to take up an assistant coaching role at Richmond.

Caracella, 39, joins the Tigers' coaching panel following a successful seven-season stint as an assistant coach at Geelong, which included the Cats' 2011 premiership campaign.

Caracella previously spent three years as a member of Collingwood's coaching panel.

He also had a decorated AFL career, winning premierships at both Essendon (2000) and Brisbane (2003) and spending a couple of seasons on-field with the Magpies.

A talented small forward, Caracella played 126 games and kicked 151 goals for the Bombers from 1997-2002, then had 34 games and 33 goals at the Lions from 2003-04, before finishing with 27 games and 34 goals for the Pies from 2005-06.

Caracella worked under Richmond's new football manager, Neil Balme, for five years at Geelong and was a teammate of senior coach Damien Hardwick in Essendon's 2000 premiership side.

"Blake has done an exceptional job with the club over a long period, and we wish him well at Richmond," the Cats' general manager of football, Steve Hocking, said.

"Blake is part of the AFL’s level four coaching program and it is important that he continues to grow and develop as a coach.

"Blake has been a popular figure at our club and we look forward to following his progress as he pursues future coaching opportunities."

Richmond is appointing a new set of assistant coaches for 2017 as Hardwick enters the season under pressure with two years of his contract remaining.

The club recently completed its football department review after disappointing results in 2016.

Caracella's appointment coincides with the Tigers' appointment of Neil Balme as football manager.

Balme was football manager alongside Caracella at the Cats for five years.

"Blake has impressive credentials, experiencing great success throughout his playing and coaching career, and we're really excited that he's joining our coaching ranks,"Balme told richmondfc.com.au.