Melbourne and Geoff Walsh have insisted they are yet to talk in the wake of the Collingwood director of football’s shock departure from the AFL club.

Walsh dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he told the Magpies he was leaving after seven successful years in the role.

It immediately prompted speculation that he might go to another club and take up a similar role.

Walsh is one of the league’s top football department chiefs and he is certain to gain another club job if he wants.

Melbourne are looking for a permanent general manager of football operations as part of the restructure at the struggling club.

Demons chief executive Peter Jackson said he would try to sound out Walsh.

“If he is available I would talk to him,” Jackson told the AFL website. “I don’t know if he is available.”

Walsh also said after 29 years in various club roles it was time for a break.

“I don’t have any plans, I’ve had no discussions, that hasn’t been the driver or factor in this decision,” Walsh told SEN.

“This decision has not been made on the back of what my next chapter will be in terms of my employment.

“Your head and heart tell you the same thing, (then) it’s the time to say yep, I should move on.”

Walsh will be on hand as a consultant to Collingwood for the next three months, with Rodney Eade to handle the day-to-day running of their football department until a new football director is appointed.

The former Fitzroy, Carlton and North Melbourne official admitted in a club statement that he had “misgivings” about leaving Collingwood.

Walsh said he wants to have a break and watch his youngest son play as a punter in American college football.

His departure continues an unsettling season for the `Pies, who are seventh and struggling to build consistent form.

Walsh’s decision comes only six weeks before the finals.

“There’s never a good time in footy,” he said.

Most recently, All-Australian defender Harry O’Brien had a spat with coach Nathan Buckley and has not played for three weeks as he deals with serious personal problems.

O’Brien could return on Saturday in the MCG match against Greater Western Sydney.

Collingwood are also yet to re-sign star utility Dale Thomas, although Walsh seemed confident that would happen.

“That (resuming negotiations with Thomas’ management) is one of the things that will happen sooner rather than later,” Walsh said.

“I know he wants to stay and I know Collingwood want to contract him.

“They will be able to work that out, I’m sure.”

Walsh also said he was not leaving the club because of any disagreement.

“There’s nothing sinister about my call here,” he said.

Walsh, who helped engineer the 1996 and `99 premierships at North Melbourne before playing a key role in Collingwood’s 2010 flag, remains confident that the Magpies will stay an AFL force.

“We’re still in a phase I think where the (premiership) window is wide and well and truly open,” he said.