DUAL-premiership coach Mark Thompson will be welcomed back to Geelong with open arms following a four-year absence.



A burnt-out Thompson walked out on the Cats mid-contract at the end of the 2010 season, following 11 years at the club, only to join Essendon as James Hird's senior assistant a month later.



That working relationship ended last year after four tumultuous seasons at the Bombers.



With Thompson no longer involved at an AFL club, Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said the club planned to invite the 2007 and 2009 premiership coach to several functions and match-day events to celebrate his contribution to the club.



“I think he’s always had our club at heart,” Cook told The Geelong Advertiser.

“Footy is a disposable business and people leave in acrimonious circumstances sometimes, that’s just how footy is at times.

“But one thing you’ve got to do is remember positively and passionately your heroes and he’s one of those.

“He’s not tied to any club now and I think it would be irresponsible of us if we didn’t try to lure Mark back, even in a low-key social atmosphere.”

Cook said he was hopeful the Cats' second-longest serving coach would accept the invitations and begin to mend the fractured relationship.

Thompson finds himself out of club land for the first time in 33 years and recently signed on as an expert commentator with radio station 3AW for the 2015 season.