Outgoing Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has not ruled out an immediate return to football, saying he still has the energy to be involved in the game.
But Hinkley told 3AW on Saturday he had not spoken to Carlton about the possibility of filling the Blues’ vacant football manager role alongside his former assistant Michael Voss.
Hinkley has two more games in charge of the Power after 13 years at the helm, including Saturday’s clash against the Blues at Marvel Stadium.
His assistant Josh Carr will take over from next season.
While his name has been linked to the Carlton football department role and a similar position with the Tasmanian Devils, Hinkley said he would wait until the season’s end before having conversations about his future.
“I don’t need a long spell, because that’s me … but I don’t need to rush either … we are really entrenched in Adelaide, we love Adelaide,” Hinkley said.
Hinkley denied that the year-long handover to Carr had contributed to Port’s disappointing season. The Power finished last year’s home-and-away season in second place.
He said he still wanted to be involved in football but the 58-year-old intimated that age was against him in regard to landing another coaching role.
“I’d like to take his [Fagan’s] record as the oldest premiership coach,” he joked.
New Carlton CEO Graham Wright announced during the week that the Blues were parting ways with football manager Brad Lloyd.
Hinkley said it was possible for a former coach to work in a new role under a former assistant coach.
“Me and Vossy get on great,” he said. “I think they (the positions) are manageable.
“Is it realistic? Probably not.”