In big news out of Carlton, assistant coach John Barker has resigned from his role amid the club's lacklustre form.

Barker, who handed in his formal resignation yesterday, was keen to stay on with the club until season's end, but according toย The Age'sย Sam McClure, was told by the Blues hierarchy that he will not be needed until then.

MORE CARLTON: Blues urged to offload Cripps

With this, it is believed he will depart the club over the bye, and told the Carlton top brass that personal reasons was the root cause of his departure.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 21: Blues head coach Brendon Bolton and assistant coaches Tim Clarke and John Barker look on during the round nine AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on May 21, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

In a statement released by the Blues, Barker said he was grateful for the relationships he had built over the last decade.

โ€œIโ€™ve absolutely loved my time in footy, and most of all Iโ€™ve loved the relationships Iโ€™ve built during my time in the game,โ€ Barker said.ย 

โ€œHowever, over the past 12 months Iโ€™ve been able to take the time to reflect on whatโ€™s most important to me and given the nature of the role and all it commands, Iโ€™ve made the decision to explore other avenues outside of football, and most importantly with my family at the forefront of this decision.โ€

Carlton Head of Football, Brad Lloyd, today thanked Barker for his time at the Club and acknowledged the contribution made during his period at the Blues.

โ€œOn behalf of the entire club, Iโ€™d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Johnโ€™s efforts over the past 10 years and thank him for his contribution to the Club,โ€ Lloyd said in a press release.

โ€œHe has been a valued member of our football club and has played an integral role in the development of our playing list during his time at the Blues.โ€

Barker's resignation will further aggravate the Blues' mounting off-field issues, with the club yesterday announcing an independent investigation into their football department off the back of a stagnant 2021 season.

Carlton find themselves in 14th position on the ladder, with their loss on Sunday to the struggling Eagles further compounding the misery and discontent felt amongst Blues fans.

RELATED: Blues slammed for "selfish" play

Head coach David Teague, in his first uninterrupted year at the helm of one of the biggest clubs in the land, hasn't set the world alight so far.

Carlton haven't been able to beat any top eight sides in 2021, and with only four wins against Fremantle, Essendon, Gold Coast and Hawthorn the only thing to show for their off-field work over the summer.

It's fair to say that Teague will have woken up today even more under the pump with his second-in-command now out the door.