FORMER Carlton and Brisbane coach Michael Voss says he won't be involved at a club in 2027 and has essentially ruled out any interest in becoming a senior coach again in the future.
Voss was sacked by Carlton in May after a total of 212 games as senior coach at the Blues and the Lions, whom he coached between 2009 and 2013.
The 51-year-old has done some media work since his departure from the Blues, including for AFL.com.au, and looks set to continue that next season.
While he says he wants to return to clubland one day, that won't happen in 2027.
"I certainly won't be at a club next year," Voss told Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio.
"Where that takes me next, I'm not too sure. There's certainly been a lot of conversations ... and some of it has just been able to take my time, have coffees with a lot of people and find out where my next passion is.
"I'm 51 and the next decision is a really big one for me. I've spoken to a couple of clubs and it feels right for me not to be at a club next year in any sort of role. I'd like to be able to step aside and do something else.
"It's been 35 years living in the furnace and I certainly wouldn't mind what it looks like outside of that, at least for now."
While Chris Fagan (65) has enjoyed great coaching success later in life and Ken Hinkley (59) will soon take over as Tasmania's first head coach, Voss says his age would not be a factor in deciding not to return to senior coaching in the future.
He says he always knew his stint at Carlton, after he had gone back to an assistant role at Port Adelaide, would likely be his last crack at being a senior coach.
"My situation is a bit different. It felt like my go at it was to go back (after leaving Brisbane), lick my wounds at Port Adelaide, learn my craft and go to work on myself as a coach to give myself the next opportunity," he said.
"I always felt like whenever the day came that the Carlton job finished ... in the back of my mind, it felt like it would be the last time I would have a go at coaching. Maybe different roles, but certainly coaching had come to an end.
"You become passionate about high performance ... whether that's growing a list or growing or a program behind the scenes. We'll weigh that up in the future, but right now it certainly feels like the right time to step away for a period of time and go and do something different."
Michael Voss will join Josh Gabelich for the Trade Exchange every weekday from 11am during the trade period on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio
