Sydney is reportedly "comfortable" with how things are progressing regarding Dean Cox's future as a senior coach despite, John Longmire being contracted until the end of 2025.
Cox - who is a premiership player at West Coast - has been flagged as a potential candidate for the vacant role left by Adam Simpson last week.
However, speaking on Channel 9'sย Footy Classified, journalist Tom Morris understands there's a "broad acknowledgement" that the six-time All-Australian will remain in Sydney and take over when Longmire stands down.
"The Swans are very confident they can hold onto him," Morris said.
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"Longmire is out of contract as well at the end of next year and the Swans won't begin those discussions until next year begins at least.
"Which is unusual in the modern landscape. But Dean Cox is comfortable being at Sydney. And there's a broad acknowledgement that he's not going to pursue any gig at the West Coast Eagles.
"The Swans are very confident they can hold onto him ... the Swans want Cox to be their next coach."
Sydney believes Dean Cox is unlikely to pursue the West Coast senior coaching position, @tommorris32 reports. #9FootyClassified | Live on 9Now ๐ฅ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/iwWtpJAjpV
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) July 15, 2024
"Things can change and there's nothing official.
"They (Sydney) believe he's staying. They think Cox, is unofficially, their next man.
"Cox knows this and it's just (about) when that happens."
However, there is a link between Cox and the Eagles (aside from his playing days) as former Swans assistant coach turned West Coast CEO Don Pyke had jumped ship ahead of the 2024 season.
The Swans have made it clear that contract discussions regarding their coaching panel won't begin until the beginning of 2025 "at the very least".
Longmire was quizzed on Tuesday about where Cox stood in terms of a senior coaching role and what it might look like going forward.
"First and foremost, we don't get really dictated to by what other clubs do or what is going on in other clubs," Longmire said.
"Second of all, it's great that Dean's invested in us.
"When you've got a quality assistant coach like 'Coxy', it's great to have him so invested in this footy club.
"I'm sure if those conversations (between the Eagles and Cox) happen at some stage, he'd come and talk to us, but he's completely focused on us.
"We're more than comfortable where it sits."
