Essendon captain Jobe Watson would love caretaker coach Mark Thompson to stay at the AFL club in 2015.
But Watson says, ultimately, it'll be a decision that Thompson must work through.
Thompson is filling in for suspended club icon James Hird, who will retake the reins when the Bombers' 2014 campaign ends.
Thompson has said little on his future this season and, on Monday, stated he was yet to broach the topic with Essendon.
But the man who coached Geelong to premierships in 2007 and 2009 harboured doubts over whether there would be an offer on the table.
"I don't see one (an available position) there at the moment because it's just they're all filled," Thompson told Fox Footy, noting Simon Goodwin and Neil Craig had already taken suitable coaching posts at the Bombers.
Watson, who returned from a hip injury in Essendon's last-start win over West Coast, said the players wanted Thompson to stay.
"I know the players are excited to have Hirdy back, but we'd love to have Bomber here (in 2015) as well," Watson said on Tuesday.
"You don't find guys that build dynasties at clubs or two-time premiership coaches around everywhere.
"To have that experience and to have his knowledge (would be good) ... it will be up to him and what he wants to do, though.
"I know Bomber went into this with a pretty clear-cut message - it was one year to be the senior coach and I think he found that quite liberating."
Thompson said a day before he didn't "want to just walk out and leave this team".
Hird was barred from coaching this season as part of the league's punishments for the 2012 supplements saga.
Essendon, who were also kicked out of the 2013 finals, are seventh on this year's ladder and in the box seat to be alive come September.
Watson suggested his team's attention was fixed on Saturday's clash with Gold Coast and little more.
"Because (beating) Gold Coast gives us an opportunity to then be in a position to play finals," he said.
Key defender-turned-influential-forward Jake Carlisle missed the Bombers' dramatic win over the Eagles due to back spasms, but is in line to return against the Suns.
"He's looking a lot better," Watson said.
"He'll have to be able to train and know that he can perform at AFL level for him to come into the team."
Share
