LENNY Hayes has ruled out taking up a position on the St Kilda coaching staff in 2015.

The retired champion, who played 297 games across 16 seasons, admitted he needed a break from the day to day intensity of an AFL club, but hasn’t ruled out returning to the Saints beyond next season.

“I’m not going to go to an AFL club and coach [next year]. I’m not quite ready for that yet,” Hayes told Triple M’s Hot Breakfast on Wednesday morning.

“I know how much is involved and how intense it can be and I don’t even know if I would make a good coach anyway.

“I’ll weigh it up again in 12 months.”

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Hayes left the coaching door ajar in mid-July when he announced his retirement and suggested a position had already been offered to him.

“The club has certainly made it clear that they would love to have me around in 2015,” the three-time best and fairest said two months ago,” he said.

“I’ve done a few courses and I’ve obviously worked closely with a few of the young guys here, but I’m under no illusions that I need to improve in a lot of areas if I am to become even an assistant coach.”

Instead, Hayes will focus on promoting his autobiography My Story: Lenny Hayes before taking a deserved break with his young family.


After 30 years of footy, he’s not ready to sever ties with the game he loves just yet.

“I think sometimes guys who are involved in footy – coaching just seems like the easy or natural thing to do,” he said.

“I’m not going to take a bit of time and stay involved in the game in some capacity.”

Hayes’ book goes on sale on October 1 and covers a range of topics and stories that have never been told before.

Click HERE to see Hayes' book signing dates.

“If I look back at the 16 years I’ve had at the club, there isn’t much that hasn’t happened,” he joked.

“I’ve had five or six different coaches, done a couple of knees and a few ups and downs. I’ve met some great people along the journey and that’s what I’ve tried to get across in the book.”

St Kilda is yet to finalise its coaching structure for 2015, but Luke Beveridge will commence after this Saturday’s Grand Final in the newly created Director of Coaching role.