Outgoing Essendon coach Mark Thompson says he won't consider offers from rival AFL clubs for senior coaching positions.
In the most definitive statement of the master coach's future plans, Thompson said on the AFL 360 program on Monday night he thought his time in charge of an AFL club was over after Saturday night's finals loss to North Melbourne.
"Possibly, yeah, probably," he said when asked.
"I think that was why I was so disappointed because I didn't want it to finish."
Thompson said a discussion on his future at Essendon in another role would come this week and he wouldn't entertain overtures from other clubs.
The two-time premiership coach with Geelong and three-time premiership player with the Bombers hinted at some frustrations with his year in charge.
With no specifics described, Thompson suggested there were limitations to what any coach could achieve in just one year.
"I think I probably tried to do too much... there wasn't enough time and that frustrated me a little bit early doors," he said.
"What I wanted to happen, I couldn't get done because people didn't know what I was talking about or I didn't have the people around.
"Once I stopped worrying about that it was OK."
James Hird returns to coach the Bombers from this week onwards, meaning unless another role is found with Essendon, Thompson will be without a job.
The Bombers could also be without their chief ruckman Paddy Ryder, who Thompson confirmed was looking for an exit door.
"It's a big issue because he is much loved, you'd hate to see him leave," he said.
"He's probably had his best year.
"The fact he's thinking about leaving is not good."
As for Saturday night's match, lost to the Kangaroos by 12 points after holding a 33-point lead shortly after halftime, Thompson said it still sat uncomfortably.
"It's still churning a bit... they kicked 16 points at half-time and 12 goals (after that)," he said.
"If they had of stuck to their task, they could have won."
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