Alastair Clarkson will take a coaching sabbatical in 2022 after knocking back Carlton’s last-ditch approach to coach the club next year.
The four-time Hawthorn premiership coach did however hint at a possible return to coaching in 2023.
“I wasn’t strong enough to overpower my thinking in terms of what my family and I need right now, and that’s a 12-month spell,” Clarkson told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night
“I’m quite serious when I’ve said this throughout the course of the year, I might find out that I can’t recharge the batteries and I don’t want to go again, or I think probably it’s in my DNA to want to coach again at the end of next year or the year after.
“But I want to use the next 12 months to try and find that out. I think it’s more likely I get to the end of July or August next year and I can’t wait to get back into it again.”
Speaking on SEN SA Breakfast, Kane Cornes named the six most under pressure coaches heading into next year with Clarkson available and waiting in the wings
“I think in order of nervousness and the shakiest, it’s Stuart Dew,” Cornes said.
“He (Clarkson) has already been linked to Gold Coast. Stuart Dew and the Clarkson link to Gold Coast is going to be there all year
“We’re going to look at the Geelong situation with Chris Scott, who comes out of contract next year.
“Matthew Nicks comes out of contract next year – could you sign up Matthew Nicks right now before you got a no from Alastair Clarkson? I’m not sure that you could, so that makes it really nervous for Matthew Nicks.
“Brett Ratten would be in that situation. Ken Hinkley would absolutely be in that situation … he’s contracted to 2023, but it’s been a long time at the Port Adelaide Football Club for Ken Hinkley.
“Adam Simpson has won a premiership, but there will be some level of expectation and pressure on Adam Simpson.”
“There will be six or seven clubs all year linked to Alastair Clarkson.”