AFL newcomers Gold Coast have played down the prospect of Leigh Matthews becoming foundation coach but have hinted there's a job for him if he wants it.

And development coach Guy McKenna has made it known he'd love to have Matthews as his mentor and football operations manager.

Speculation has simmered that Matthews will link with the fledgling club, to be unveiled as Gold Coast FC tonight, since the four-time premiership coach resigned from Brisbane on Monday.

Gold Coast FC director and former Lions chairman Graeme Downie doubted Matthews wanted to coach again but would consider him for a leading role if interested.

Matthews has said he wants to remain in Queensland, and Downie doesn't want to see the "valuable asset" lost to Queensland football.

"If he made it clear that he was still interested in taking a role ... then we'd have to consider him but we're a fair way away from making that decision," Downie said.

"It would be totally up to him and what he wants to do. If he wanted to continue coaching then he wouldn't have stood down the other day so that's probably out.

"If he wanted to continue in footy there's probably only one role that really suits him and that's that mentoring or overseeing or directorship-type role."

McKenna has a two-year contract as Gold Coast coach to lead the club's development team into the 2009 TAC premiership and 2010 VFL.

The Coast will be part of the AFL from 2011.

The current Collingwood assistant coach could feel justified in feeling nervous with Matthews' long shadow hovering but hoped to work with and learn from the man voted player of the 20th century.

"Just look at the man's record, you would be mad not to be interested," McKenna told the Gold coast Bulletin.

"Even just a mentor as well - when you are with a very young club, to bring in that sort of experience would be a massive step forward."

Gold Coast, set to be admitted to the league on October 13, are expected to bypass a mascot or nickname and be merely known as the Coasters.

AAP jsm/dpb