Melbourne will take its time appointing its captain for 2014 after co-skipper Jack Trengove’s resignation from the post, with new coach Paul Roos still open to the idea of multiple on-field leaders.


Trengove, 22, stood down from his position on Wednesday after two seasons in the role alongside Melbourne defender Jack Grimes. The No.2 selection in the 2009 national draft, Trengove has struggled to find his best form since taking on the job.


Roos, who took his first training session with the Demons at Gosch’s Paddock, said Melbourne players would elect a leadership group from which the coaching staff, football operations manager and chief executive Peter Jackson would select a leader.


But the Demons could still have a co-captaincy arrangement, with Grimes an obvious candidate again, along with tough midfielder Nathan Jones. Roos said he had no preconceptions about who or how many players should hold down the role.


"I need to work with the players and see what they come up with through the process and who gets voted into the leadership group," Roos said .


"I’ve got an open mind on that. I’m happy with one, happy with two or three (captains). I think we had six in 2005 (at Sydney) so it’s really just a matter of who we think is a suitable captain or captains."


Roos said he was supportive of Trengove’s decision. The South Australian midfielder was just 20 when elevated to the position in February 2012 under previous coach Mark Neeld, making him the youngest captain in AFL history.


"Jack and I had a number of discussions, and it really had to come down to his decision," Roos said. "I think he enjoyed being captain, but it’s been a fairly tough period for him and the club, so he was keen to step down, and I was supportive of that. My obligation to him is to try to make him best possible player he can be.


"You don’t lose your talent overnight. I remember watching his tapes as a kid, and even watching games with the coaches over the last two to three weeks, he does have some really good talent. We want to get the ball in his hands as much as we can. He’s a good decision-maker and he uses the ball really well. I’m confident he’ll have a good 2014."


Trengove said he believed the best way he could contribute to Melbourne’s cause was to "fulfil my potential as a player".


"At 22 years of age and entering my fifth year in the game, it is important that I start making big inroads," he said.


"The life lessons and experiences that I have seen over the last two years have been invaluable. There is no doubt they will make me a better player long term.


"I won’t change the way I go about things at all within the club, but will obviously just not have the title that I have had in the past. If leadership opportunities present themselves in the future, I will consider them then.