Robert Harvey says it was a “mutual” decision to part ways with Collingwood after 10 years at the club.
Harvey, a long-time assistant at the Magpies, assumed the senior coaching duties on an interim basis for the last nine games of the season following Nathan Buckley’s mid-year departure.
The dual Brownlow Medallist told SEN Breakfast that the time had come to seek a new challenge elsewhere as Collingwood heads in a different direction under a new senior coach.
“There were discussions all the way through between me and Graham Wright (football boss),” Harvey said.
“It was pretty obvious for me by the end that I needed a change and I think the club needed a change as well.
“That was pretty clear all the way through, and we had discussions as I was in the interim role as well about how that would look.
“For me, that was pretty transparent. It was pretty much a mutual thing between the two of us and I think that was the right time for both.
“I think everyone left on good terms.”
Harvey was asked whether he has spoken to Carlton amid reports he is in line to join the Blues if Ross Lyon is appointed senior coach.
“No, I haven’t. At this time of year there’s a lot of joining the dots,” the St Kilda great said.
“Ross Lyon’s a mentor of mine and we’re pretty close and I have great respect for him as a coach.
“I don’t know where that fits to be honest, and I don’t know if he knows.
“In the end, there’s a lot of joining the dots at this time of year and I think that’s what people are doing.”
Harvey has previously worked under Lyon at the Saints.