2018 premiership coach Adam Simpson has shut down suggestions he is considering a return to coaching.
It was reported on Tuesday night by The West Australian that the former West Coast coach had moved to Melbourne and been in “casual talks” with at least one Victorian club.
But in an appearance on AFL 360 on Wednesday night, Simpson made it clear in no uncertain terms that the reports were inaccurate.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone, I haven’t moved to Melbourne,” Simpson confirmed.
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“It must’ve been a slow news day in WA.
“Unfortunately there’s not a lot of fact to that.
“There’s no real desire to jump straight back in (to coaching) at the moment either.”
Since mutually parting ways with the Eagles in the middle of the 2024 season, Simpson has taken up a role in the media, working as an analyst for Fox Footy and SEN.
Simpson spent more than a decade with West Coast, coaching the side to two Grand Finals, including a flag in a famous five-point win over Collingwood in 2018.
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However, he departed the club in contrasting circumstances, having led the side to just eight wins over his final three seasons at the helm.
Speculation about a return to coaching comes after mounting pressure on a number of Victorian-based coaches in recent weeks, with Michael Voss (Carlton), Simon Goodwin (Melbourne) and Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne) all expected to be on the hot seat.
Despite heading into the year expecting to play finals, Carlton and Melbourne have only won seven and six games respectively entering the final month of the season, while North Melbourne have yet to show meaningful improvement in Clarkson’s third year at the club.
Simpson has a storied history with North Melbourne, having played in two premierships and eclipsing 300 games during his time at Arden Street, where he also captained the Kangaroos from 2004-2008.