Arabic version: باكلي يستبعد التقدم لتدريب إيسندون وكارلتون

According to ABC News, Nathan Buckley is unlikely to enter the coaching searches at Essendon or Carlton after Tasmania selected Ken Hinkley as the Devils’ inaugural senior coach. Buckley had openly wanted the Tasmanian role, but says he remains determined to become an AFL head coach again.

Buckley told Fox Footy on Monday night that he had not reflected on the Essendon and Carlton vacancies and did not think he would enter either process. He said his most likely outcome for next year was to stay at Geelong, where he is an assistant coach to Chris Scott.

“I am absolutely focused on the next six to 10 weeks with Geelong and how that plays out,” Buckley said. “I will take some time to reassess what is after that.” He said he has an option to remain with Geelong next year and that this was probably the most likely outcome.

The former Collingwood coach said he had been fully committed to pursuing the Tasmania position. He said the decision to return to Geelong was made partly to give himself the best chance to be ready for the Devils role.

Buckley described missing out on the job as a personal “fork in the road”, while saying he respected Tasmania’s process and its choice of Hinkley, the former Port Adelaide coach. He said he was glad the Devils had found the person they believed was right for them.

Despite his disappointment, Buckley said he remains firm in his ambition to lead another AFL club. He said he decided about 12 months ago that returning to senior coaching was what he believed he was capable of doing and what he wanted to do.