GEELONG coach Mark Thompson has extended his contract with Geelong and will coach the team until at least 2011.

The Geelong website reported on Sunday that the 2007 premiership coach has agreed to a two-year extension on his current deal.

It is the fifth time that Thompson, who was appointed senior coach in September 1999, has extended his tenure with the Cats.

According to Thompson, the matter was a formality.

"There was never any question of me not being here, so the contract simply formalises the arrangements we have had over the past decade,” Thompson told geelongcats.com.au.

“Like everyone associated with the club, I love working here with the staff and players that we have, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and the future.”

Thompson has an overall winning percentage of 60 per cent, and has coached the Cats to an amazing 35 wins from their last 37 starts, including 12 straight so far in 2009.

Geelong CEO Brian Cook praised Thompson for the culture he had instilled at the club and said he was responsible for developing an outstanding list that played an attractive brand of football.