WEST Coast assistant coach Sam Mitchell has reportedly told the club he will return to Victoria at the end of the season.

Lured to the Eagles in 2017 on a deal which saw him play one season then transition to the coaching ranks, the four-time premiership Hawk has been a key part of the club’s rise up the ladder.

But after two years in WA he has now let club officials know his family are looking to return home once this season is done, according to The Footy Show’s Damian Barrett.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson confirmed the news on Friday.

“He’s working through some things with his family that we understand,” he said.

“We’ll worry about that at the end of the year... what’s really important for us is this year and this week so that’ll take care of itself at the end of the season.

“He’s contracted so there’s a bit to work through. We obviously signed him long-term so it wasn’t part of the plan.”

Mitchell is part of a five assistant set-up under Simpson, who he had previously worked with during his time as an assistant coach at Hawthorn.

The 35-year-old, who looks after the Eagles midfield, is considered a head coach in waiting, and will no doubt have Victorian clubs scrambling to add him to their staff for next season.

It is believed he still has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Eagles.