Gerard Healy believes Mark Williams should be strongly considered for the Collingwood coaching job.
Currently impressing in a head of development role at top-of-the-table Melbourne, Williams is one of a handful of names being linked with the head coach position at the Magpies.
Coinciding with Nathan Buckley’s departure, the likes of Ross Lyon, Alastair Clarkson, Chris Scott and Sam Mitchell, among others, are some of the names being thrown around in black and white circles.
But Healy was leaning towards the experience and know-how of 2004 Port Adelaide premiership coach Williams when asked who his early tip would be.
“I wouldn’t know, but I would be thinking strongly about Mark Williams,” he said on Sportsday.
“I just think he’s the right age for two or three years.
“I think it will be a challenging appointment for whoever takes it, but he’d be one I’d strongly consider.”
Former Magpies coach Leigh Matthews, who led the club to the 1990 flag, had his say on who he feels would be a good fit.
“Of the proven ones, I just think you can be at the right club at the right time,” he offered.
“You can’t be lucky twice and Ross Lyon has taken two separate clubs to Grand Finals so he’s the most credentialled of the coaches not coaching at the moment.”
After almost 10 years with Buckley in charge, the Pies will be taken care of by long-time assistant Robert Harvey for the remainder of the 2021 season.