FORMER Geelong champion Cameron Ling has backed down from AFL coaching aspirations, declaring he wants to remain in the media.
Ling, who combines Channel Seven commentary duties with a part-time role as a leadership coach at North Melbourne, had three clubs interested in securing his services when he announced earlier in the year he was entertaining a move to full-time coaching.
But on on Tuesday night, he announced his decision on Channel Seven news.
"It was a hard decision because some really good people were having conversations with me about going and working at their football clubs," Ling said.
Ling said three clubs had put firm and "very flattering offers and roles" in front of him.
But after talking with his partner Nicole, who is due to give birth to the couple's second child this weekend, he decided to continue working in the media.
"It's been really good fun with really good people and I still get front row seats to some great games of footy," he said.
"We're both very excited about it."
The three-time premiership player and 2011 flag skipper said his decision was not closing the door completely.
"Never say never, I don't know what the future holds," he said.
