Dees boss rings Roos

Melbourne has spoken to Paul Roos, Picture: Michael Klein

MELBOURNE has wasted no time sounding out Paul Roos, publicly declaring it wants to convince the premiership coach to take the reins at the embattled club next year.

New Demons chief executive Peter Jackson made the call to Roos just days after sacking Mark Neeld halfway through his three-year contract.

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And despite Roos reiterating he has no plans to return to the coaching landscape, Jackson said the Dees would not give up hope of luring the 49-year-old in what would be the marquee recruit Melbourne desperately needs.

"I've spoken to Paul and his comments to me were exactly the same as the other night on television," Jackson told Triple M.

"At the moment he doesn't see himself coaching. It's not that (a contract dialogue) at all. But I've asked him the question and maybe, who knows."

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Jackson said Roos must have a burning desire to coach and not be swayed by the mega pay cheque he would command.

"Maybe we can convince him over time it's a challenge that's going to invigorate him," Jackson said.

"He has to want to coach. No amount of money is going to make him want to coach, he has to want to do it for the right reasons."

Roos remains a joint $5 second-favourite to win the only vacant AFL coaching job, tied with former Western Bulldogs mentor Rodney Eade and behind Richmond's Mark Williams.

Alan Richardson yesterday ruled himself out of the race, declaring he was happy at Port Adelaide.

Eade admitted last week he still had the "fire in the gut" to be a senior coach but would also carry a high price tag.

"I'm the opposite to Rocket. Rocket said he had a burning desire to coach. I don't," Roos, who boasts a 58 per cent winning record, told Fox Footy's On the Couch last week.

Collingwood training,Rodney Eade, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:

Jackson confirmed the Dees were only scoping experienced coaches.

He also conceded a proposed AFL Coaches Association charter that would ensure Eade or Williams remained tied to their current clubs until the end of the season even if they won the Demons top job loomed as an obstacle.

"People are going to want to talk about what they may do in 2014 anyway, so long as they've got obligations and responsibilities to an existing employer," he told ABC Grandstand.

"And that's only fair and reasonable. I think that's just something we have to deal with."

Jackson played down talk the AFL was taking over the Dees despite league chief executive Andrew Demetriou confirming it would have a say in appointing Melbourne's board and new coach.

"They're not providing overbearing influence, they're providing great support," Jackson said.

"They have obligations to the other 17 clubs and that's to make sure they just don't pour money into a big black hole."

Jackson said the AFL Commission was now the Demons banker, so it was expected for the league to have some say in the club's new direction.