Collingwood has begun its search for a new senior coach, following Nathan Buckley's imminent departure from the club.

Buckley - who resigned on Wednesday morning - will coach his beloved Magpies one final time on Queen's Birthday against Melbourne in Sydney, with assistant Robert Harvey named as the club's interim coach for the rest of the season.

With the post still vacant in the long-term, Kane Cornes has named his Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams and Hawthorn assistant Sam Mitchell as potential options for the Magpies to consider.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams hugs Josh Mahoney #22 after the AFL Grand Final between the Port Adelaide Power and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 25, 2004 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Tony Lewis/Getty Images)

Cornes has included Mitchell in his blueprint despite the word that the Brownlow medalist is projected to supersede current Hawks senior coach Alastair Clarkson after the expiration of his contract in 2022.

"I just wonder whether Mark Williams is worth ringing โ€“ actually โ€“ I know that heโ€™s worth ringing", Cornes told SEN SA Breakfast.

"I think something unique but something a bit innovative, maybe a Williams-Mitchell combination where Mark Williams at his age coaches for two years at Collingwood, helps develop the young group, theyโ€™re in a rebuilding phase with a lot of players coming through.

"Theyโ€™re going to go to the draft again next year, we know no one in the country is better with young players than Mark Williams."

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Cornes continued to champion his former mentor's ability and claimed that Mitchell could also provide the Pies with the final piece of the puzzle.

"To have him there at the helm for two years with Sam Mitchell underneath him and transition that way until Sam is ready, I think is a combination that could absolutely work at Collingwood," he said.

"Yes, itโ€™s a little bit different, itโ€™s something that they probably wouldnโ€™t have considered before, but I think thatโ€™s a partnership that could work at Collingwood".

Alternatively, Tim Watson has urged Collingwood to consider Geelong assistant coach Matthew Knights as a potential senior coach candidate.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 12: Coach Matthew Knights of the Bombers runs of the field during the round 12 AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Geelong Cats at Etihad Stadium on June 12, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)

"Matthew Knights is definitely somebody who should be looked at", Watson told SEN Breakfast.

"He got the Essendon job I think before he was ready to be a senior coach. He has a wealth of experience now as an assistant.

"He has to be better and more understanding of the complete role as he was as a young coach.

"I would definitely interview Matthew Knights. 100 per cent I would".