Radio 6PR analyst and News Limited reporter Kim Hagdorn told Mornings with Gary Adshead that Sumich had withdrawn his candidacy because of family reasons.

Sumich has teenage children attending university and high school in Perth.

"Peter Sumich has withdrawn from the race to get the Western Bulldogs job. He's been so determined to become a senior coach and yet he's withdrawn," Hagdorn said.

"The [Sumich] family decided if you get it [the Bulldogs job]  - which they all wanted him to do - the family was going to stay in Perth. I don't think that suited Peter. I don't think he wanted to go through it and so he remains committed to Fremantle."

Sumich was due to be interviewed for the position at the Bulldogs today.

The 46-year-old played 150 games and kicked 517 goals with West Coast between 1989 and 1997.

He coached South Fremantle into the 2001 WAFL grand final before moving to an assistant's position at West Coast under John Worsfold.

In a surprise move he left that role after the 2011 season to join Ross Lyon's staff at Fremantle.

Sumich had come close to getting senior roles previously, notably being edged out as Essendon coach by Matthew Knights in 2008 and then losing out to Adam Simpson in the race for the head gig at West Coast last year.

The Bulldogs' coaching role has been vacant since last month, when the club parted ways with Brendan McCartney - the day after captain Ryan Griffen requested a trade to Greater Western Sydney.

Griffen subsequent joined the Giants, in a move that helped the Dogs land highly-rated youngster Tom Boyd.