Former St Kilda greats are lining up to suggest the coach the club needs to take them to the next level is Ross Lyon... even if they stop short of suggesting it will actually happen.

The Saints are in the market for a new head coach after yesterday parting ways with Alan Richardson.

And with Ross Lyon on shaky ground at the Dockers, and copping criticism from all angles, it has led to the man who took the Saints to three grand finals being connected with his former post.

Lyon is contracted until the end of 2020, and while Fremantle president Dale Alcock hasn’t suggested his position is at risk, he also said the club wouldn’t even consider an extension this season.

Speaking on SEN, former St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo said a Ross Lyon figure was exactly who the club needed to replace Richardson.

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Camera Icon Ross Lyon and St Kilda after a losing grand final. Credit: AFL Media

Former Carlton coach Brett Ratten will lead the Saints for the remainder of this season.

“I’ve spoken about this before, (St Kilda needs) someone like a Ross Lyon,” Dal Santo said.

“People jump at me saying no we don’t want Ross back but, I understand that.

“Ross is also contracted but someone, in my opinion, of that personality type... that strong, disciplined, buy-in, accountability style of coach is really important.

“They’ve got a game plan, a structure and a relationship with the playing group that can take them forward.”

Nick Riewoldt was another Saints great to drop Lyon’s name when asked about the role today.

Play Video Nat Fyfe did his best to steer the Dockers home, but it was the Hawks who took the points. The West Australian Video Nat Fyfe did his best to steer the Dockers home, but it was the Hawks who took the points.

He said Lyon would be welcomed back with open arms, despite departing the club in a manner that was described at the time by commentator Gerard Whateley as “deceitful, duplicitous and distasteful”.

“Of course I would (welcome him back),” Riewoldt said.

“There’s a bit of a misconception about the way he left the Saints that would need to be cleared up… but I can’t see (his return) happening.

“He’s contracted at Freo.”