Former Fremantle and St Kilda senior coach Ross Lyon has been linked to the vacancy at North Melbourne, with a decision reportedly possible as early as next week.
The Kangaroos are set to begin their search to replace David Noble, who departed the club on Tuesday after just 38 games at the helm.
While a number of potential candidates have been floated in the days after Noble's exit, Lyon has now emerged as a strong runner for the position should he seek a return to coaching at Arden Street.
Speaking onย Triple Mย on Saturday, reporter Jay Clark revealed that Lyon could be handed the job in a matter of days should he want the role.
"Having spoken to a lot of people over the last 48 hours, I think if Ross Lyon wants the North Melbourne coaching job, it is absolutely his," Clark said.
"This could be sealed up by about Wednesday. This will be the biggest story I think in football over the next 24 hours.
"I think he has a decision to make because they would absolutely want him and if he wants the job. I think it's his from what I can gather.
"I think this is really straightforward from here if he wants it."
Clark went on to reflect on Melbourne's heavy push to secure Sydney Swans premiership coach Paul Roos, who joined the Demons on a lucrative deal to aid their ongoing struggles in 2013.
Should the Kangaroos table a similar 'godfather' offer to Lyon, Clark pondered the chances of the former Saints and Dockers coach turning down North's advances.
"I just I just wonder... I think 'Roosy' got like 1.5 (million dollars) a year to resurrect Melbourne," Clark said.
"If North Melbourne, with the AFL's backing, say 'Ross, we love you. You're our man. You bring everything we want, you are the hard man who can bring standards and confidence and belief and culture and here's 1.5 a year to do it over the next four', that would be hard to turn down."
Lyon was linked to both coaching vacancies at Collingwood and Carlton last year, however opted not to go through either process, instead remaining in a role in the media.
The 55-year-old said at the time that he would pick up the phone should a club call, but was happy with remaining outside of the coaching landscape.
Speaking onย Triple Mย in May, Lyon put a line through any chance of taking on the currently open GWS Giants coaching job.
"Nah I went on this Merry-Go-Round last year, wasn't really a joyful ride," Lyon said.
"I don't think I'll be taking a ticket up on this ride.
"You've gotta be all in. I'm certainly not all in."
Lyon departed Fremantle at the end of the 2019 season after eight years at the helm, joining the Perth club from St Kilda after securing two grand final appearances with the Sants in his tenure between 2007-2011.
Across his stints at both clubs, Lyon recorded a win rate of 57.21 from 305 matches, amassing 172 wins, 128 losses and 2 draws.
