A day after Suns chairman John Witheriff offered few answers about the sacking of coach Guy McKenna, football manager Marcus Ashcroft explained the path ahead.
Ashcroft, speaking on NAB AFL Trade Radio, made it clear on Thursday that the coaching machinations at other clubs will have no impact on the Suns' next move.
That includes whether Essendon sacks James Hird and replaces him with Thompson, which could happen in the next week.
"We're prepared to take our time and make sure we've got the right planning in place," Ashcroft said.
"The only time pressures we have are what we want internally.
"Our players are due back in early November - we need to make sure we can hopefully find someone within that time period.
"It'll be internally driven, not externally."
Ashcroft reaffirmed Witheriff's claim the Suns had not contacted Thompson about the vacant post.
"I can categorically say that there's been no approach made to Mark Thompson," he said.
Thompson, who left for a holiday to the United States on Thursday, is a two-time premiership coach and looms as the No.1 candidate.
But Ashcroft insisted Thompson will not be considered until the selection criteria is drawn up.
"We're still in the process of putting that criteria together, putting a selection panel together and a process," he said.
"Once that all gets put together and I guess approved by the board, we'll be in a better position to move forward."
And not a second sooner, no matter what Thompson or Bombers chairman Paul Little say or do.
"We know it'll be a number of applicants that will inquire about the role at our footy club," Ashcroft said.
"If Mark's one of those, we welcome that.
"But we're not going to rush anything just to fit in with the needs of others."
Meanwhile, Ashcroft confirmed the Suns were in the market for in-demand Sydney Swans free agent Nick Malceski.
Suns ruckman Daniel Gorringe is seeking a trade to Port Adelaide, but Ashcroft called him a required player and someone who "still has plenty to offer the Gold Coast".
