EXCLUSIVE: 'Strong mail' reaffirms Carlton's interest in Ken Hinkley as Nathan Buckley pursuit heats up

Eddie McGuire has reaffirmed "strong mail" Ken Hinkley could head to Carlton in what's likely to be a general manager of football role, despite Melbourne's search for a coach.

The Demons are currently on the lookout for a Simon Goodwin replacement after sacking him last week, with a host of names connected.

Nathan Buckley has been pushed as the most likely candidate for the Demons, after last coaching Collingwood.

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McGuire, Collingwood's former president, admitted he'd wish Buckley "nothing but the best" if he coached Melbourne and admitted the Magpies legend has a desire to coach again.

Buckley has also been linked with the Tasmania Devils, and McGuire implored president Brendon Gale to get moving.

"I'm going to say to Brendon Gale on Friday when I see him, 'Mate if you want him, sign him now'," he said on Nine's Eddie and Jimmy podcast.

McGuire went on to exclusively reveal the Demons "want to announce the coach before the grand final".

"That is their stated position, internally," he said.

"I think they're looking at two, whether that's a first year coach coming through and a Nathan Buckley or Ken Hinkley over the top ... that's what I believe they're looking at."

McGuire added that the same scenario is likely at Carlton after reports last week linked Hinkley to the club in a football department role.

"The big strong mail is Hinkley to Carlton," he said.

"Ken, who's coaching well ... he could well be one of the most popular people in football in the next five minutes.

"You can have a lot of young guys coming through (but it's about) getting the right people in, and we've seen it work over the years with football directors.

"The problem is ... clubs make the mistake, and largely because of the stupid soft cap, is you end up getting somebody who's really good at football and they've got to become accountants and run this and run that as footy directors."

McGuire said Carlton may need to create positions to provide support for coach Michael Voss.

"He's got one year left on his contract and that will take care of itself, he needs a decent run at it," he said.

Voss previously worked with Hinkley as a senior assistant coach at Port Adelaide for seven seasons.

Last week Hinkley was asked about his plans for the future but said he wouldn't think about it until after Christmas.