Ross Lyon reportedly makes bombshell call on Carlton gig

A leading candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Carlton has reportedly made a bombshell call on his immediate coaching future.

Ross Lyon has reportedly withdrawn from the Carlton head coaching vacancy. Picture: Gary Day / AAP

Ross Lyon has pulled out of the race for the head coaching position at Carlton.

The 54-year-old appeared to be the front runner after Alastair Clarkson announced he would take a year-long sabbatical from coaching, but it appears Lyon won’t be taking up the reins for the Blues either according to numerous reports.

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The news comes just a day after Lyon hinted he wouldn’t be too willing to go through a selection process after Carlton confirmed its six-person committee to firm up the club’s search for David Teague’s successor.

“I’m confident in my abilities,” Lyon told Footy Classifiedon Wednesday.

“I’ve been to two clubs (and made) cultural change, for want of a better term, and (improved) performance.

“It’s very difficult to get a group to give the effort St Kilda and Fremantle have done if you can’t create a dynamic and a chemistry.

Ross Lyon has reportedly pulled out of the race for the head coaching role at Carlton. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

“At the end of the day it’s up for people to decide.

“It’s come through my door, I haven’t been out looking for it.”

The opening for the head coaching position at Carlton occurred as a result of an extensive review of the club’s football operations, and Teague was one domino of many to fall as a result of the report.

With a selection committee including three-time premiership coach David Parkin in place, Lyon was intrigued about how the process would work, but insinuated there wasn’t anything set in stone just yet.

“He (Luke Sayers, Carlton president) said we’re finalising (and) putting some finishing touches on, which they’ve clearly done with the panel,” Lyon said.

“Then the other part of that is what the process looks like, because it’s just a word.

“Everyone’s got a process, but what sits within that, the mechanics, what needs to be delivered – that’s what I’m unaware of.

“Then you sit down because I’ve said I’m interested in the process.

“But I’ve got to make sure that I fit the process.”

Lyon has led St Kilda and Fremantle to grand final appearances across his 300-game coaching career, but has been out of work since he was sacked by the Dockers in 2019.