Roos, who had previously and consistently said he would only coach the Dees for two years, signed on to coach to the end of 2016 on the weekend.

“I’m really enjoying what I’m doing and I think we’ve got some really good people in play. I probably just felt, at the end of the day, to leave after two years was going to be that year short,” he said. “Hopefully over the three-year period I can get the club to a point where it’s proud of where it’s at. We’re starting the challenge to be a good footy club.”

The former Swans premiership coach joined the Demons this year as part of its rebuilding phase and has talked of only having a short-term role. Despite signing on for a third year, Roos has ruled out staying any further, saying family commitments made that impossible.

“I’m pretty clear from a family point of view I won’t be going past the three years. I think the three years certainly gives the club more stability,” Roos said.

The Demons have had five coaches in the past three years and even club boss Peter Jackson has acknowledged the club has suffered from a “toxic” environment which has hampered its ability to achieve success.

Jackson told SEN radio that it was “never in doubt” about Roos agreeing to the option to stay on for a third year.

“I never lacked confidence that Paul would sign on. He’s quite content with the role but he’s a very fierce competitor. I could see he enjoyed being around a footy club again,” he said.

Jackson acknowledged that although the Dees are no closer to being within the grasp of the top eight, the club was changing.

“The foundation’s been laid. We’re not any closer to being a premiership club but we’re a different club now.”

The additional year will give Melbourne some breathing space as it searches for Roos’ successor. Roos has regularly discussed wanting to train whoever will replace him but added the successor model might not work.

“If we don’t find anyone this year, we have another 12 months to go. We’re not in any rush. The ideal model would have been [to] find the ideal person straight away. The ability to get in and train and be an assistant coach is really important.

“[But] we’re smart enough to be flexible ... if a really successful premiership coach was out of contract in two years' time, that’s great.”

Roos said he believed former Geelong premiership player and media commentator Cameron Ling would be an excellent addition to the Dees as an assistant coach and possible successor but added Ling has not yet decided whether he will pursue the idea.

Demons forward Jesse Hogan is back at training and could return to the senior side before the end of the season. Roos said Hogan's presence had been a “big boost” to other players.

“He was terrific. Whether he pushes himself enough to play this year, it’s a case for Jesse,” Roos said.

Hogan was expected to miss the season after suffering a back injury in the pre-season competition.