Ross Lyon has met with St Kilda's hierarchy in a "big step" towards a potential coaching return with the AFL club.
The Saints are on the hunt for a new boss after sacking Brett Ratten last week, less than 100 days after handing him a contract extension.
Lyon looms as the top contender for the vacant post as the Saints seek a "ruthless" coach.
The 55-year-old - a renowned taskmaster from previous stints with St Kilda and Fremantle - met with Saints president Andrew Bassat and chief executive Simon Lethlean for four hours on Monday.
"It's a big step isn't it ... we just had initial discussions,,'" Lyon told the Seven Network, adding he had an interest in the role "otherwise I wouldn't come and meet".
"But it's a delicate time for everybody," he said. "It's not easy coaching an AFL club."
Addressing Ratten's dismissal at a press conference last Friday, Bassat said St Kilda had "a very clear view about what we need".
Bassat said the club didn't have "the winning culture or ruthless commitment to football excellence that we need".
Lyon coached St Kilda to grand finals in 2009 and 2010 before his shock defection to Fremantle at the end of 2011.
He led the Dockers to a grand final in 2013 but was sacked in late 2019, having missed the finals in four consecutive seasons.
Lyon has since held football media roles and spent time focusing on business interests.
Earlier on Monday, former St Kilda star Stephen Milne said he was excited about the prospect of Lyon returning to the club.
The ex-pocket rocket was a key figure in Lyon's Saints teams that played grand finals in 2009 and 2010 but hasn't spoken to his former coach since Ratten was sacked.
"I put in a couple of phone calls and messages, and he's been very quiet on the text, so I think there's something brewing, which is very exciting hopefully," Milne told SEN radio.
"There's something definitely bubbling, I think.
"Obviously it was bad circumstances last week and I do feel for Ratts, but I think they've kind of made the decision behind closed doors.
"They wouldn't have sacked Brett Ratten to go through a four-to-six-week process for assistant coaches with (Adem) Yze, Lenny Hayes or Robert Harvey.
"If it's going to be announced in one or two weeks, it might be a Ross (Lyon) or a James Hird."
