Incoming Melbourne chief executive Paul Guerra has flagged a shock backflip on the decision to part ways with popular coach Mark Williams.

But an AFL great says he would be “surprised” if Williams agreed to walk back into the club.

Melbourne confirmed the veteran’s exit on his 67th birthday last week, a day after his premiership-winning Port Adelaide protege Kane Cornes revealed the news.

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Williams’ standing in the game was quickly emphasised by Alastair Clarkson sharing his hope that he could find a spot at North Melbourne for his former boss.

Sensing they were too rash, Guerra spoke publicly on the Demons’ desire to keep Williams after all.

“I’ll be talking to Mark over the next couple of weeks to see if there’s another role we can find for Mark Williams in our football club,” Guerra said on the ABC.

“He’s too good a person to see just walk out of the club.

“His role needed to change, he understood that, his contract came up at the end of this year, but let’s see what we might be able to do with Mark Williams at Melbourne.”

Demons football boss Alan Richardson is also of the same view, according to Channel 7’s Caroline Wilson.

“So they’ve moved him on and now, what, they’re recanting?” Nick Riewoldt said on The Agenda Setters.

Williams is understood to have been one of the highest-paid development coaches in the league, backed by a track record of success in his roles at Port, Richmond and Melbourne.

But issues lingered at the Dees, with Wilson reporting Williams at times wanted to attend AFL games when the club wanted their development coach to help at concurrent VFL games.

Guerra’s decision to act and speak out before his official start date — and while Williams is still employed during Casey’s VFL finals campaign — prompted a similar response to when senior coach Simon Goodwin was sacked earlier this month.

Goodwin was let go with a year to run on his contract despite despite president Brad Green and acting chief executive David Chippindall in the final months of their leadership roles before being replaced by Steve Smith and Guerra respectively.

Guerra, Green and Richardson were involved in the Williams call, Wilson said, saying it did not bode well for their search for a coach to replace Goodwin.

“If I’m Nathan Buckley, who we still don’t know whether he’s fully committed to the idea of (coaching) Melbourne, or Brendon Lade, all the other guys who are looking at this job, do they want Mark Williams there?” Wilson said.

“Is that part of their plan? Who is leading this ship? Who’s steering it?

Cornes asked: “Is it the biggest mess you’ve seen for a while?”

Wilson described Melbourne as “rudderless at the moment”.

“As soon as we have a clear president and clear CEO the better, and obviously a coach,” she said.

“But don’t move on from a name as big as Mark Williams and then turn around to say ‘oh we’re trying to find a role for him’. Nah, doesn’t cut it with me.”

Riewoldt said he would be “surprised” if Williams agreed to return, with Craig Hutchison theorising Melbourne may only put forward a corporate or ambassadorial role.

Williams has previously been said to be “desperate to continue” in the AFL.

“He’s still as determined and hungry for success as ever,” Cornes said last week.

“His phone is on, and he’s ready to accept any opportunities in the AFL, and he’s still as passionate as he always has been.”

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