Eagles' shock offer to axed coach revealed

Outgoing West Coast coach Adam Simpson has declared he needs a "break" from football after being axed from his role on Tuesday.

It comes after Eagles CEO Don Pyke openly invited Simpson to coach one final game in round 18, when the club hosts Brisbane at Optus Stadium.

While Simpson didn't give a definitive answer on whether he would coach on the weekend, Pyke made it clear where the club stood on their offer.

READ MORE: 'I'm grateful': Origin star rescued after pool mishap

READ MORE: West Coast axe coach after tumultuous post-flag run

READ MORE: Claims AFL player 'blackmailed' over drug addiction

"We've requested Adam to consider coaching the side for one final time this weekend. We'd love Adam to coach one more time," Pyke said at a press conference on Tuesday.

But Simpson seemed shocked when Pyke revealed the club's offer.

"We haven't made that call just yet, if I was going to coach this week," Simpson said.

"We'd like you to," Pyke responded.

Simpson admitted that he has no idea what is next, despite his passion for the game still burning.

"I don't know what's going to happen. I've still got passion for the game. I probably need a break, to be honest," he said.

"A sense of a little bit of relief, as well as sadness, is what I feel at the moment.

"The relief bit is probably a bit around the family, as much as me.

"I don't know, need a break, don't know what I'm going to do. We love Perth, but I love footy."

But there were no "big secret meetings" held behind anyone's backs, Simpson declared.

"There's no conspiracy theory," he said.

"It's (been) really difficult the last three years."

Simpson still had around 18 months left to run on his contract, but admitted that his end came as no surprise.

"I don't know how shocked everyone is. There's been a fair bit of tension over the past three years," he said.

With that, the Eagles confirmed they are ready to move on, with Pyke confirming the search for their next senior coach will begin immediately.

"We'll start that process now," Pyke said.

"We're in the market for a new coach."

Pyke refused to name any candidates, instead confirming the club will begin to "compile a list of names" of interest for the senior coaching role.

Nine's Caroline Wilson also compiled a list of three potential replacements, which she discussed on Footy Classified on Monday night.

"You've got Dean Cox, Jamie Graham, Ashley Hansen, three former West Coast players, all doing well as assistant coaches (across the AFL)," she said on Monday night.

"They're looking at three really good former players, who are also doing really good jobs as assistant coaches. None of them are duds."

Despite the heartbreak that was evident in Simpson's demeanour, he reflected on when he arrived at the club 11 years ago, when he was 38.

"My hair has got pretty grey since I got here, although I did dye it before (I came to Perth)," he said.

"I was living a lie, I must admit. When I got this job, I thought, I can't live this lie. Overnight I went grey.

"Sorry, what was the question?"

Simpson finishes his career with a 50.6 per cent winning ratio.

He will likely be looked at by other clubs, considering his rich footballing career, which includes 306 games and two premierships as a North Melbourne player, as well as a premiership as Eagles coach in 2018.