MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says a return to stability at the club is needed and admits the turbulent times during his first year in charge have caught him by surprise.

The club's sacking of Paul McNamee this week, after his short-lived stint as chief executive, continued a tumultuous recent period.

Since Bailey was appointed as coach last August, the Demons have appointed a new football manager, installed a new president, hired and sacked McNamee and revealed their debt is spiralling towards $5 million.

On field, things have not gone much smoother for the bottom-placed club, with skipper David Neitz retiring in May, and another four players falling to season-ending injuries.

But Bailey said that while there had been no hint of the dramas to come when he took the job, he was determined not to lose focus.

"I didn't know all this was going to happen, no, I'll be honest with you there," Bailey said.

"But look, my direction, I was employed to be a coach and nothing has changed from the day I got the position to today.

"I'll coach as well as I can and help and develop young players and help and develop our list.

"The board ... they're in place to make those decisions that they see best fit for the future of Melbourne."

Bailey said he had faith in new president Jim Stynes' ability to create the settled environment needed.

"It's important that we have stability and I think we've got an exceptional president, Jim Stynes," he said.

"He has brought a lot of momentum with him. He's very passionate and this is the start of I think a pretty exciting future with the Melbourne footy club."

Bailey, who said he was surprised by McNamee's sacking, was confident it would not distract the players ahead of Sunday's MCG clash with North Melbourne.