Adam Simpson backs away from applying to coach beloved former club North Melbourne after battling ‘awkward’ situation

Adam Simpson has backed away from applying to coach his beloved former club North Melbourne .

A two-time Kangaroos premiership player and former captain, the 50-year-old has been out of coaching since leaving West Coast late in the 2024 season.

North’s shock decision to sack Alastair Clarkson earlier this month thrust Simpson back into the spotlight just a month after he helped Carlton appoint Josh Fraser as their new coach.

Fellow North great John Longmire, who has remained at Sydney since stepping down as Swans coach at the end of 2024, has also been mooted for a return to Arden St.

Simpson met with Roos football boss Todd Viney and CEO Jen Watt this week as the club looks to form a shortlist of candidates.

“I think I’m not going to take it any further,” the Eagles’ 2018 premiership coach told SEN on Thursday morning.

“I had a good chat with Todd and Jen, which was reported, which is fine, and just upon reflection it’s probably not going to work for me this time round.

“So I let them know yesterday and will let them continue on their journey, whether they get an old or new, that’s totally up to North Melbourne.”

Simpson said he “never crossed the line” of no return after battling some “hesitancy” against the idea that leading his former club “would be cool”.

“Then I realised in the end it probably didn’t suit me as well as I thought it did. Decision was made, didn’t have to go the all-in,” he said.

“I was on the precipice, that doesn’t mean you get the job or anything but once you’re in, you’re in. Worked through that as best I could with the family and with my manager and we got to the decision to pass.”

Simpson has shunned every coaching vacancy since leaving the Eagles after a nearly 250-game coaching career.

He believes North “just want the best coach for the job” and do not have a preference for a first-timer or an experienced leader.

But Simpson’s involvement in the Carlton process — the Blues appointed their interim Fraser after also interviewing the likes of coaching hopefuls Jaymie Graham, Corey Enright and James Kelly — was a serious concern.