COLLINGWOOD coach Mick Malthouse has heaped praise on new Melbourne coach Mark Neeld after his former assistant was named as the new Demons boss on Saturday.

Neeld was an assistant to Malthouse for four years with the Collingwood coach saying his deputy deserved the opportunity.

"Mark Neeld is more than ready," Malthouse said on SEN radio.

"I think it's a testament to where he has come from and how long he's worked. Mark Neeld has worked 25 years for [a senior AFL coach opportunity].

"He's coached his own side. He coached a Western Suburbs team in the Under-18 competition which has historically been undisciplined and poor and he's made it disciplined and very competitive."

When asked to describe the characteristics that would have attracted Melbourne to Neeld, Malthouse pointed to Neeld's "no nonsense" attitude and "understanding of the game".

"He understands the importance of his role to play," Malthouse said.

"Mark Neeld will be what he is: a strong person in the type of game he wants to put out there. He will stand no nonsense.

"There is no necessity to be stereotyped to say you have be a half-lunatic to be a football coach."

Malthouse also said he felt the need to endorse case because of Neeld's background that consists of only 74 AFL games as a player with Geelong and Richmond. 

"I can understand why he would be overlooked because of his pedigree but I wasn't going to overlook it and people, when they ask, I've been the first to push him up because I think he needed that kick along," Malthouse said.

"He's been overlooked and overlooked because, who's Mark Neeld?

"He's done it hard.

"He had to do it hard via no product of the premiership. He's done it without 150 games and the accolades that come with the 150.

"We need to break that stereotype that you need to be a great footballer to be a great coach."

When asked if he ever considered keeping Neeld on for the remainder of Collingwood's finals campaign, Malthouse was adamant that would not be possible.

"Oh no, you can't do that. As I said to Scotty (Brad Scott) when he took the role over [at North Melbourne], you won't realise the work ethic required and the time required until you put your name to the senior coach's role.

"We can't have a Melbourne coach sitting on the bench. That would be ludicrous.

"It just doesn't make sense at all. His mind is going to be a million miles away."