MICK Malthouse is open to a call from Adelaide about potentially resurrecting his coaching career.

The three-time premiership coach concedes the scenario is highly unlikely.

Carlton sacked Malthouse earlier this season and he said at the time that his time as a senior coach was over.

Malthouse coached 718 games, the AFL record.

"I said 'no' some time ago ... (but) look, I have a passion to coach," he told Adelaide radio station 5AA.

"It's a big step for Adelaide and it would be a massive step for me.

"But I wouldn't totally dismiss ... talking to them.

"There are a lot of hurdles."

The Crows are in the market for a new senior coach after the tragic death of Phil Walsh.

Scott Camporeale is in charge until the end of this season.

And Malthouse said his wife Nanette is open to the idea.

A few days ago, AFL commentator and Malthouse's former Richmond teammate Kevin Bartlett said the Crows should look at Malthouse.

"Remarkably ... my wife said to me today, 'I've seen that quote' and I said, 'Well, there's no way you'd want to live in Adelaide'," Malthouse said.

"She said, 'We don't have to live in Adelaide - you do'."

Malthouse coached West Coast to their first two premierships before also leading Collingwood to the flag.

"(Adelaide) is a replica of what I saw at West Coast - it came from nothing and it developed a winning culture," he said.