PAUL Roos' successor as Melbourne coach will be in place by the end of this season, chief executive Peter Jackson says.

Roos was last year signed to a two-year deal with the option of a third, and the Demons are opting to wait in appointing a senior assistant to succeed him.

Jackson was hopeful Roos would fulfil the full term of his contract, but expected this season to play a major role in his decision.

"I don't want to put pressure on Roosy or start getting into some public debate about will be here for two or three years," Jackson said.

"I just want him to be really happy about the decision he's made coming to work each day and knowing he's done the right thing.

"If we do that for most of this year I think the rest will take care of itself."

Melbourne pursued Sydney Swans assistant coach Stuart Dew last year to take over his former mentor, but was knocked back as he re-signed with the Swans.

"We would want to understand who's in that role towards the end of this football season, absolutely," Jackson said.