Port Adelaide assistant coach Dean Laidley has told the AFL club he'll likely return to Melbourne next year.

Laidley, a former North Melbourne coach, wants to return for personal reasons, Port's football operations manager Peter Rohde said on Thursday.

Port are currently interviewing candidates for their head coaching job for next season and beyond.

Rohde said there was a chance Laidley could still work for the Power while living in Melbourne.

"Dean has indicated to us that he'd like to continue to work for the club in some capacity regardless of where he's based," Rohde said in a statement.

"A decision around his future role at the club will be delayed until there is a decision on the senior coach.

"Dean has confirmed his commitment to the club to at least the end of this season."

Port expects to announce their next head coach by the end of next month.

Former Power captain Matthew Primus has been the caretaker coach since Mark Williams' departure a month ago.

Laidley, who joined Port last September, resigned as North Melbourne's coach in the middle of last year after coaching the Kangaroos since 2003.

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