DUAL Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson will not be a part of Essendon's coaching panel for 2011, but exhaustion may keep him from staying at the Cats.
Geelong confirmed on Tuesday - five hours after James Hird was announced as Essendon's new senior coach - that Thompson had rejected advances to join his 1993 premiership teammate at Windy Hill.
Contracted to Geelong for another season, Thompson will consider his future in the coming days.
Chief executive Brian Cook said he had met with the coach on Tuesday at 11am, and that he was suffering from "burnout".
"Mark has indicated that at the end of the season he feels exhausted and wants to reassess his coaching future," he said.
"He has told me that the issue isn't whether he goes to Essendon or any other club, but rather if he wishes to continue coaching at all.
"The club has advised Mark to speak to his closest associates before he makes any decision on his coaching future at Geelong.
"The club has indicated to Mark that we hope he fulfils his contract, but only if he is fully committed to coaching."
Football manager Neil Balme said the Cats were concerned about Thompson's welfare and asked supporters to understand his mindset after a hectic period in the club's history.
"It does come as a shock but I believe everything he said," he said.
"He's not just stacking on an act. He's a bit puffed out and he needs to think about whether he wants to do it."
The Cats expect a decision from Thompson by the weekend with the AFL trade period to commence on Tuesday.
He is also expected to attend Thursday night's best and fairest count.
"We've got list management meetings, player contracts, selection of new staff," Cook said.
Cook confirmed Thompson had been approached by Essendon past players and members of that club's hierarchy, but had indicated to Geelong that he wouldn't accept a position.
"In Mark's own words, he doesn't wish to go there," he said.
Another scenario could see Thompson take three months off while his assistant coaches manage the start pre-season training, but Cook warned of the risk associated with that move.
"The other reality to that he might not be committed in three months, in which case you might have a few problems," Cook said.
Geelong president Frank Costa has repeatedly said in recent weeks that Thompson would coach the Cats for one final season in 2011 before focusing on a career in property development.
Thompson, 46, played 202 games for Essendon in a career that spanned 14 seasons and included three premierships in 1984-85 and 1993, when he captained the 'Baby Bombers' to an unlikely flag against Carlton.
After his retirement in 1996, Thompson remained at Windy Hill as an assistant coach to Kevin Sheedy before moving to North Melbourne under Denis Pagan in 1999, helping the Kangaroos to the premiership that year.
Thompson was appointed Geelong's senior coach for the 2000 season and he has coached the club to six finals series in his 11 seasons at the helm.
The news of Thompson's rejection of any role at Essendon will be welcomed by Cats fans given the uncertain future of star midfielder Gary Ablett.
