GEELONG assistant coach Brenton Sanderon will stay with the club despite being passed over for the main role.

Sanderson came close to being appointed senior coach following the resignation of Mark Thompson earlier this month.

He was short-listed with Ken Hinkley and Chris Scott, before Scott was appointed last Monday.

Reports had surfaced that Sanderson would look to continue his coaching apprenticeship elsewhere after spending the past four seasons with Geelong.

But the Cats confirmed via Twitter on Wednesday afternoon that Sanderson would remain with the club.

Sanderson retired as a player at the end of 2005 after 199 games with the Cats. He also played four for Collingwood and six with Adelaide.

In 2006 he took up a development role with Port Adelaide before returning to Skilled Stadium to work as an assistant to Thompson.

He was said to be critical to Geelong's 2007 and 2009 flag successes and its grand final appearance in 2008.