Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says he would welcome Nathan Buckley as his assistant at the AFL club.

Malthouse is out of contract at the end of this season and it is understood that president Eddie McGuire wants to create a succession plan for the senior coaching role.

Malthouse is almost certain to be offered a new deal as senior coach for at least the next two years.

Buckley ended his outstanding playing career at the end of 2007 and is now looking at becoming a senior or assistant coach at an AFL club.

"I work with anyone, I've worked with Nathan in the Australian side," Malthouse said on Friday.

"I've had a variety of assistant coaches ... regardless of who they are, they're given responsibilities because I'd like to think they are people who you can trust.

"They trust me, they go forward because I given them opportunity and that's the way it works.

"It matters not who the assistant coaches are, but I have four very capable assistant coaches at the moment."

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