He held discussions with Eagles coach Adam Simpson and football boss Craig Vozzo over the past fortnight before he officially declined an offer this week.

Sumich, 48, was overlooked for the Eagles senior coaching appointment three years ago when Simpson won the position after they were both extensively interviewed over three days by West Coast management.

The dual premiership key forward and assistant to Eagles icon John Worsfold when West Coast won the flag in 2006 could now stay out of senior football for at least next year.

"Going back into the family [fruit and vegetable] business is even closer - I understand he may have rejected an offer from West Coast as late as today," Brad Hardie said on Radio 6PR's Sports Today on Thursday night.

"That is profitable for his family but there may also another job in the beckoning somewhere for Peter Sumith.

Sumich had been sought to take over as Eagles midfield coach with the move from Brady Rawlings into list management.

The Eagles goal-kicking record-holder through a 150-game playing career is understood to have been virtually certain to return to West Coast if an offer of a more senior appointment was on the table.

A position as director of coaching or head of development alongside Simpson was more appealing to Sumich, but is understood to have not been offered in negotiations.

Sumich has spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach to Ross Lyon at Fremantle after a decade as senior assistant to Worsfold from 2002.

Since Sumich resigned at Fremantle a month ago he has been linked with vacancies through the AFL as well as outfits in need of improved football advisory experts.

He is a leading candidate to take over the Western Australian under-18 coaching appointment or even a position in the elite level national academy coaching scheme with departure of head coordinator Brenton Sanderson to join Collingwood as an assistant to Nathan Buckley.

Sumich is understood to also be on the radar as a football operations advisor at Adelaide alongside head coach and close mate Don Pyke.

The Crows look set to chase a new head of football operation with the highly anticipated appointment of highly regarded David Noble to lead a planned revival at Brisbane.

Noble is tipped to be announced as the Lions head of football as soon as Adelaide finish their finals commitments over this month.

Noble's appointment could be as early as next week if the Crows tumble to Sydney at the SCG in Saturday night's semi final.

Is appears that North Melbourne could also be a prospect to approach Sumich for his football nous with anticipation of a substantial rebuild on the back of heavy senior player departures.

He has  also had overtures to join Essendon with Worsfold.

Sumich is believed however to be reluctant to leave his home state on a full-time basis.

He is understood to have rejected overtures to join the interview process on the cards in Brisbane's selection of a new senior coach, tipped to go to respected Hawthorn head of football Chris Fagan.