Longmire's manager speaks following Devils' Hinkley revelation

John Longmire’s manager, Liam Pickering, has given the latest update on where the former Swans coach stands in the race to become the Tasmania Devils’ inaugural coach.

Longmire had been one of the three candidates in contention alongside Nathan Buckley and Ken Hinkley for the position.

But it was reported on Sunday by SEN’s Tom Morris that former Port Adelaide coach and co-host of SEN Sportsday, Ken Hinkley, has emerged as the favourite to become the Devils’ inaugural AFL coach.

According to Morris, Hinkley flew down to Hobart this morning having met with the Devils’ Chief Marketing Officer Kathryn McCann.

When asked on SEN’s Crunch Time about where the 2012 Premiership coach now stood for the position, Pickering noted that he hadn’t heard from the Devils but knew Longmire had presented for the opportunity.

“He's got a great role where he is at the Swans, who are a great footy club,” he said.

“John met with them, I don't think that's any secret and Tommy (Tom Morris) knows that.

“I'm across about as much as what Tom's telling us. I don't know any more than that.

“I haven't heard from Tasmania, but all I know is when John did present to him, he had as many questions to the club as they had of him.

“So, when you're in a position that he's in, such a well-credentialed coach and he's got a great role at a great club.

“It’s got to be a right fit for both parties and I think that's sort of where it's at with John and Tassie.”

The former Geelong and North Melbourne player turned manager noted that Longmire wasn’t desperate to return to coaching.

But should the right opportunity present, the current Executive Director of Club Performance at the Sydney Swans would consider a potential return.

“I don't think he's chasing coaching, but he's open to look at what's out there,” Pickering added.

“But he's also in a fortunate position of being 1) very happy where he is and 2) being a very required part of the Sydney Swans footy club.

 “It's not like he's all in for coaching because he's got nothing else, and I've never heard him say he wants to be a career coach.

“In fact, he's loved his last 18 months, but if the right opportunity comes up, I'm sure he'll look at it.