Premiership coach Denis Pagan has denied he is trying to snare the Richmond job from embattled Tigers coach Terry Wallace.

Pagan, who was sacked as coach of Carlton midway through 2007, said on Monday he was ready to return to a senior side just a day after the glare on Wallace intensified.

Following Richmond's fourth straight loss - to last year's wooden spooners Melbourne on Sunday - speculation Wallace would be sacked was rampant.

But Pagan, who took North Melbourne to two flags, said his comments were badly timed and he had apologised to Wallace.

"I don't ring anybody up and say, 'I want to coach'. People ask me," Pagan told SEN.

"In retrospect, I can see how it's portrayed and it wasn't timely for the Richmond football club and Terry, and I've apologised to him and that's life.

"I feel for the people involved in it. I've been through it myself and I can tell you, it's not a pleasant time."

Pagan coaches Wallace's son Brent at the TAC Cup side - the Northern Knights - and said he would also talk to him this week.

After he said he was "very keen to coach", Pagan rang Wallace on Monday to apologise.

"I said to him, 'If I've caused you any embarrassment or angst, it wasn't meant with any intent," Pagan said.

"I answered a direct question and I didn't think it would be tied in with the Richmond football club.

"He was terribly disappointed but I apologised and I'll speak to his son tonight and hopefully I can explain to young Brent the situation."

Pagan said he believed all AFL coaches should be allowed to see out the season.

"I think all coaches go in with their eyes open. It's a winning and losing business. If you lose too much, you come under heat," he said.

"That's the way it works. Terry Wallace is an outstanding coach. If you were to bring Alastair Clarkson or Mark Thompson in there, you think it would make a difference? Probably not.

"The situation is, it's tough times at Richmond, and it's about leadership," he said.

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