ESSENDON assistant coach Gary O’Donnell has ruled himself out of a senior coaching role next season.

O’Donnell was an assistant at the Brisbane Lions for their three consecutive premierships before returning to Essendon in 2005.

He said he had no interest in applying for the senior coaching role at either North Melbourne or Richmond at season’s end.

“No and I am not in the running for any of those jobs,” he said.

O’Donnell said there was not an ideal apprenticeship length.

“Each individual is different. We saw Michael Voss virtually didn’t have an assistant coaching role anywhere. Some guys can go straight in to it. It’s horses for courses,” he said.

“You get the right person for the right club at the right time it doesn’t matter what they’ve done in their past.”

O’Donnell was at the Lions while Voss was captain and said he had all the attributes needed to become a senior coach

“Michael is switched on about his footy. He demands only the best and demanded only the best from himself,” he said.

“It’s only early in his coaching career but he’s doing very well. You can be a 10 year assistant coach or you can be a one year. It doesn’t matter. You’ve got to get the right fit for your club.”