Sydney director of coaching and former Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin revealed he met with Essendon president Andrew Welsh in recent weeks, but has confirmed he won't be leaning into the process.
The Bombers' leader reached out to Goodwin recently as the club searches for its new coach following the sacking of Brad Scott in May.
The Demons' premiership coach previously spent time at Tullamarine (2010-2014) before taking the reins at Melbourne. He also stood in as interim coach for one game in 2013.
“I've made it pretty clear that I'm open to some conversations,” Goodwin said on SEN's pre-game coverage ahead of the Sydney and Fremantle clash at Optus Stadium.
“I've had enquiries and a chat with Andrew Welsh. That's not a process at the moment that I'm going to lean into.
“I'm loving my time in Sydney, continuing to evolve and get back into coaching and seeing where that takes me.
“It's got to feel right for you as well and the club. As I sit here now, I won't be entering that process.
“I'll keep developing, and hopefully when the right opportunity comes, I'll go after it.”
Goodwin, following his departure from Melbourne in August last year, ventured up to New South Wales to work alongside Sydney coach Dean Cox.
The former Adelaide champion is open to coaching roles in the future, and admitted he was tempted by the Bombers' position.
“You're always tempted; there's no doubt about that,” he said.
“You're keen to back into it, so you're tempted to have a chat to anyone. I was open to chatting to Welshy about what that opportunity might look like.
“There's a bit to work through in that process, and at the moment, with where it sits right now, it's not something that I'm going to pursue.
“I certainly haven't put a time limit on it. It just comes down to the right opportunity, and it's got to feel right to you.
“As I said, I'm loving my time in Sydney. I want to get back into senior coaching at some stage, and I know it will come up at some stage.
“Right now it's just about getting better and enjoying my time in Sydney.”
