Troubled AFL club Melbourne’s chief executive officer Cameron Schwab has resigned on Tuesday.

Schwab’s departure comes after Melbourne’s disastrous start to the season, in which they have been heavily beaten in the opening two matches.

Schwab says he resigned at the behest of club president Don McLardy after meetings on Tuesday.

He wanted to stay on but made his decision in the best interests of the club after speaking to McLardy.

“My preference was clearly to stay in the role,” Schwab said.

“But it’s quite within the rights of the president and the board to make the call they have.

“By me stepping aside the way that I’ve chosen to following our discussions, it gives the club the opportunity to move forward.

“I understand that.”

Schwab has spent eight years as Demons’ CEO in two separate stints – his latest tenure starting in 2008 after his departure from a similar position at Fremantle.