KEVIN Sheedy would have a job at AFL headquarters next year if he wanted it, league boss Andrew Demetriou said yesterday.

"If he is interested in a role with the AFL he will be welcome with open arms," Demetriou said.

"Today undoubtedly is a day that all of us celebrate Kevin's career and his amazing contribution. But when the dust settles, I hope that he stays in football. He has got a major role to play."

Demetriou said he was not sure if Sheedy wanted to continue coaching — a position shared by the man himself, who said yesterday he would take some time to consider his future but did not rule out a return to the coach's box.

"It could be something with us, or maybe in broadcasting, but we need Kevin Sheedy in football and he will continue to make a contribution," the AFL chief executive said.

Sheedy confirmed yesterday that he had discussed his likely exit from the club earlier in the year with Essendon stalwart and AFL Commission chairman Ron Evans, shortly before Evans died from cancer.

It is understood that Evans encouraged Sheedy to take on an ambassadorial role through the AFL after his tenure at Essendon finished. Sheedy is believed to be unconvinced about the possibility of working full-time for the AFL, with which he has had a sometimes-spirited relationship in the past.

The league is prepared to offer a variety of roles to the four-time premiership winner, including some that are purely ambassadorial and others that are staff positions. "He is visionary and he is a person who has thought about how the game can grow nationally so he could have a significant role in NSW and Queensland," Demetriou said.

Another option could be related to the AFL's development push into South Africa, an area Demetriou said Sheedy had shown past interest in. Sheedy could also be used as a mentor for aspiring coaches.

Another possibility is harnessing Sheedy's well-known love for indigenous culture and ability to build successful relationships with Aboriginal players such as Michael Long and Dean Rioli.

Demetriou said he would make an appointment in the coming days to catch up with Sheedy over a coffee. "Whatever Kevin turns his mind to he will be a success and he will have an impact," he said. "It's up to Kevin and it's in his choosing what he wants to do."