Blues players and staff have been told of the decision to sack Bolton, who coached Carlton to just 16 wins from 77 games.

Carlton president Mark LoGiudice had maintained all season that the Blues would keep the faith in Bolton, who was in his fourth year as coach of the club.

But LoGiudice, football manager Brad Lloyd and club chief executive Cain Liddle moved on the embattled coach following Sunday's loss to Essendon.

That defeat left the Blues with one win from 11 games this season and Bolton with an overall winning percentage of 20.78 - the third-lowest of any senior VFL/AFL coach to have been in charge for at least 60 games.

Carlton fans have grown increasingly impatient with the lack of improvement under Bolton and former coach David Parkin says the club had to be realistic.

"Pressure comes from the big picture of the people who are trying to raise money, sell memberships, keep members happy," Parkin told ABC radio.

"You might not think that that should be a consideration but I'm telling you, it is.

"He (Bolton) is a fine young bloke and he can coach, there's no doubt about it.

"I hope that he's protected in all of this but that's the business he's in.

"I've been sacked four times and it ain't much fun, I can tell you that. But that's the reality of the business he happens to be a part of."

Australian Associated Press