AFL news 2024, Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley on coach John Longmire contract, succession plan with Dean Cox

Sydney boss Tom Harley is adamant John Longmire will coach the Swans next year, and says the club is in no rush to nail down a succession plan.

The blowtorch has been on Longmire since the team was belted by Brisbane in Saturday's AFL grand final.

It was the fourth time under Longmire's tutelage the Swans lost a grand final. Their 2012 triumph is their sole premiership with him as coach.

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The man nicknamed "Horse" has been the coach of the team since 2010 and while most clubs would be stoked to play in five grand finals in 12 years, questions are being asked of Longmire's ability to take his team that one extra step.

It's widely believed Dean Cox will take over as head coach once his boss decides to hang up the clipboard.

Swans coach John Longmire. AFL Photos via Getty Images

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire this week urged the Sydney club to begin planning for the handover now.

But when asked on SEN radio on Thursday whether a succession plan was in the works, Harley said "no, there's not".

Longmire is contracted for 2025 and the CEO says there is no rush to decide what happens after that.

view gallery Image that captures the Swans' devastation after falling short in grand final deja vu

"Not putting our minds into that space at the moment," Harley said.

"I don't think there would be anyone out there in the football industry who would not recognise the relationship that John has with our football club, and the relationship myself and the chairman have with John.

"We've been having conversations about 2024 all year, about 2025 all year and beyond.

"Certainly not getting hung up on timelines in regards to when we dive into what it looks like beyond the current contract situation... what I can say unequivocally is the investment from him into our football club is extreme."

Even if fans may feel disheartened about another grand final loss, Harley insists the coach's hunger for work is as strong as ever.

"We talk all the time, and what I love about John is his commitment to whole of club," he said.

"You start to think a bit above the horizon and look at the whole club. He is a club coach.

Dean Cox and John Longmire. Getty

"He's absolutely hurting. But in terms of his commitment to the club, no... we are unbelievably grateful and fortunate to have someone like him at our helm.

"I really enjoy working with him. We've worked together for 10 years. He will process (the loss) and that will take time, we all just need to acknowledge and respect that.

"But in terms of commitment to the club - he's in."

The Swans are set to lose veteran Luke Parker in a trade to North Melbourne next week.

Harley has no plans to release young midfield star Chad Warner, though, despite interest from Western Australia.

The boss also shot down any suggestion the Swans would look at bringing Essendon enigma Jake Stringer to the NSW capital.

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