Mick Malthouse says he’s excited about the prospect of coaching Carlton as the AFL club began talks with the three-time premiership mentor.

Malthouse, who has won flags as a coach with West Coast (1992 and 1994) and Collingwood (2010), is the hottest of favourites to be appointed to the top job at Carlton.

But Carlton CEO Greg Swann denies it has been a done deal for some time that Malthouse will replace the dumped Brett Ratten.

Although Malthouse insists he is in no rush to get an answer from Carlton, the Blues are likely to make a decision on their new coach in the next two weeks.

“(The talks) were really promising,” Malthouse told Channel Seven on Tuesday.

“They were good, they were very honest and I have a clearer picture now of how the inner workings of the football department work at Carlton.”

Malthouse, who turns 59 later this month, insisted he still had the “fire in the belly” to succeed as a head coach.

Swann said Carlton had also spoken to Paul Roos about the coaching vacancy, although the 2005 Sydney premiership coach has consistently said he was not interested in any position next year.

“President (Stephen Kernahan) has spoken to Paul Roos, he’s had a couple of conversations with him, so that’s happening as well and obviously we’ve made contact with Mick’s management,” Swann told Carlton’s weekly television program The Blue Print.

“Those meetings are happening and will continue to happen.

“That process has happened post the press conference on Thursday (to announce Ratten’s departure).

“We’re into it now and hopefully we can get it resolved.”

Out-of-contract Collingwood forward Travis Cloke has also been linked to the Blues, although Kernahan said last week he thought Cloke should re-sign with the Magpies.

“At the end of the day he’s a Collingwood player, they hold the aces,” said Swann.

Cloke is a restricted free agent.

He and Collingwood have put off contract talks until the end of the season.