Melbourne assistant Adem Yze has confirmed the Bombers have approached him amid their pursuit for a new senior coach, while former North Melbourne senior coach Brad Scott is seen as a "serious contender" for the vacancy.

Yze was among the final few candidates for the GWS senior coaching position, which was eventually handed to Richmond assistant Adam Kinglsey last month.

The Bombers have begun their coaching search to replace Ben Rutten, with Ross Lyon pulling his name out of contention this week.

Potential contender Leon Cameron, who was replaced by Kinglsey at the Giants, is also understood to be out of the race.

AFL Nation's Gerard Whateley has reported that Cameron will instead remain in New South Wales.

“Essendon’s coaching process, Leon Cameron is not going to participate in that,” Whateley said on Wednesday night.

“Tom Harley (Sydney CEO) told us last week that the Swans were going to meet with him, but I suspect we’ll learn in the next 48 hours what that looks like with Leon Cameron and the Swans.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Leon Cameron, Senior Coach of the Giants addresses his players during the 2022 AFL Round 05 match between the Melbourne Demons and the GWS Giants at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 16, 2022 In Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“But he’s not going to participate in the Essendon process. It was erroneously reported yesterday that he was interested, that’s not the case.”

With both Cameron and Lyon seemingly out of the race, the position at Tullamarine is now on offer to a select few, including Yze, club great James Hird, and the aforementioned Scott.

Yze revealed to 7 News ahead of his side's semi-final that the Bombers have approached him, with further talks to take place in the coming weeks.

"Yeah I have (been approached)," Yze said.

"That will start next week. I'll have an informal chat with them next week and see where that lands.

"Josh Mahoney (Essendon football boss) obviously he was a line coach (at Melbourne).

"I'm really confident with the way their footy club is set up."

Scott is understood to still be considering the vacancy at Essendon, who are gauging the 46-year-old's interest in the position.

7 News' Tom Browne has revealed Scott is a "serious contender" for the position, despite conflicting reports from earlier this week.

"A serious contender has emerged for the vacant Bombers position," Browne tweeted on Friday.

"Influential AFL Football Boss Brad Scott is weighing up whether he’ll go for it.

"An impressive wining record with a highly salary constrained North. Believe Essendon is strongly gauging his interest."

Scott is currently positioned as the AFL's general manager of football, and managed a 106-105 record at North Melbourne between 2010-2019.