Essendon have responded to a growing supporter backlash, with outgoing coach Kevin Sheedy urging members to keep backing the AFL club.

The Bombers posted quotes attributed to Sheedy on their website on Tuesday afternoon, the same day an informal group of five Essendon members said they wanted to meet with senior club officials as soon as possible.

They want to discuss the reasons behind the non-renewal of Sheedy's contract, ending his extraordinary 27-year tenure at Windy Hill at the end of this season.

The disgruntled members have also raised the prospect of calling an extraordinary meeting.

"I have heard some members suggest they want to cut up their membership and will stop supporting the club but I sincerely hope that is not the case, Sheedy said in the statement.

"I appreciate their support but together we have worked hard to make this a great club and I hope all Essendon fans remain faithful to the club.

"As I said at my press conference the other day, it has been a wonderful 27 years for myself and the club.

"It has been a great partnership but it is time to move on."

Sheedy's comments come as it is becoming increasingly clear that he is hurt about his impending departure from Essendon.

The announcement was made last Wednesday and on Sunday, Essendon beat Adelaide by two goals to keep their finals chances alive.

Speaking after the match, Sheedy said: "I'm pretty ruthless - when I move on, you'll know....don't ever think that won't happen, that's how I left Richmond (to join Essendon).

"There will be a very ferocious person let out of a cage at the end of this year."

Also on Tuesday, Bombers chief executive Peter Jackson said on Southern Cross Radio that the Essendon senior coaching position was "the best job in football".

Asked whether he meant the playing list or the administrative strength of the club, he replied "the whole package".

Essendon have contacted Geelong coach Mark Thompson's management through a third party, but were told he is only concentrating on trying to win this year's premiership.

"They haven't called me, they've called my manager and he said the same as me - 'Mark Thompson is concentrating on playing Richmond this week down in Geelong'," the former Essendon premiership captain said.

The club is casting the net wide, with initial enquiries about Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams also being turned down.

Meanwhile, the focus switched from Carlton's senior coach to their playing list today as much-respected veteran Anthony Koutoufides retired.

He had intended to retire at the end of the season, but a hip injury forced the former Blues skipper to do so immediately.

Carlton are headed for a major shake-up of their playing list after another disappointing season.

The Blues sacked Denis Pagan a week ago and caretaker coach Brett Ratten made an encouraging debut in Saturday's 10-point loss to St Kilda.

Brendan Fevola and captain Lance Whitnall were among the players who looked on on Tuesday afternoon as Koutoufides announced his retirement.

Fevola has another year left on his contract and wants to stay at Carlton, but the club suspended him earlier this month over concerns about on-field discipline.

Whitnall has not been in the senior team since round 12 because of a knee injury and is trying to prove his fitness this week.

While the Blues continue to struggle, Koutoufides felt the club would soon regain its status as an AFL power.

"The last five years have obviously been the toughest period in my footy career," he said.

"It's all about success and that's what I learned, as soon as I walked through (the) door....you can smell the success.

"Unfortunately the last five years have been very tough, but I know now with the board, it's starting at the top and filtering its way down to the bottom.

"Once it gets itself back on its feet again, and this joint's pumping, it's the place where you really want to be, it's the best club in the AFL."

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