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Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is open to an AFL comeback, with Collingwood on the lookout after parting ways with Nathan Buckley.
Ross Lyon is open to an approach from Collingwood as the embattled AFL club ramps up its search for a successor to outgoing coach Nathan Buckley.
The Magpies will part ways with Buckley after their Queen's Birthday fixture against Melbourne, with assistant Robert Harvey to take the interim reins while a selection panel led by CEO Mark Anderson and football manager Graham Wright hunts a replacement.
Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Lyon took his teams to grand finals in three separate seasons and is one of the best-credentialed coaches on the market.
The 54-year-old is one of several big names likely to be sounded out, along with contracted premiership coaches Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn) and Chris Scott (Geelong).
Lyon is currently involved in football media work and a property investment group, but would consider a coaching comeback almost two years after being sacked by the Dockers.
"They're one of the biggest clubs in the land, incredible tradition, enormous," Lyon said on Nine's Footy Classified when asked about his interest in the Collingwood job.
"If someone rang me from Collingwood and said, 'Can we talk to you?' Of course I would sit down and have a discussion.
"But I can't give you a flippant answer here."
Pressed further, Lyon added: "It needs serious consideration, there's lots of variables and they are a big, powerful club.
"But the spotlight is squarely on you.
"There's nowhere to hide in this town - you need to be eyes wide open and ready and prepared."
Collingwood are staring down the barrel of a self-prescribed three to five-year "regeneration" after poor list management decisions and last year's necessary trade period fire sale.
There is also a chance Carlton will be seeking a new coach before the end of this year.
Incoming president Luke Sayers is set to implement an external review that will put the blowtorch on David Teague and the entire Blues football department.
"They are big jobs and they need someone who is unconditional and committed," Lyon said.
Lyon was sacked by Fremantle in August 2019 and revealed he later took calls from Adelaide and North Melbourne.
"If an AFL club rings you, I don't care who you are, you take the call and you show them the respect they deserve," Lyon said.
"That's my position."
