THE WEST Coast Eagles' hopes of recruiting North Melbourne games record holder Glenn Archer as an assistant coach have been unsuccessful.

Archer, who retired at the end of last season after 311 games, confirmed that he had strongly considered an offer from Eagles coach John Worsfold.

"I sussed it out, but in the end a relocation would have been too hard on my family," he said in Saturday's The Australian.

"Woosha (Worsfold) caught up with me in Perth, he'd be a ripper to work with."

When playing, Archer said he had no plans to coach in his retirement, but it now seems he'd be open to other opportunities down the track.

This year, the 35-year-old has juggled media commitments and the operation of his sports management company.

"It's a possibility, something I'll think about. Maybe I'll start off on a part-time basis," he said.

It means West Coast's search continues for a high-profile candidate to join its coaching staff, after it gave permission to Michael Voss – who was set to join the club as an assistant from 2009 – to talk the Brisbane Lions about the senior position vacated by Leigh Matthews on Monday.

The Lions announced Voss, who led the club to three premierships from 2001 to 2003, as their new coach on Tuesday.

West Coast had also approached former Adelaide captain Mark Ricciuto, ex-Collingwood skipper Nathan Buckley and Rohan Smith, who played 300 games for the Western Bulldogs.

Former Cat and Roo Leigh Colbert, who held a part-time position with West Coast in 2007, declined an offer early last month.

And media outlets suggested this week that recently-retired Fremantle midfielder Peter Bell and Collingwood assistant Gavin Brown could also be considered for the two available positions.

Former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher will commence as the club's general manager of football operations in November.