Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold, club great David Parkin and Alastair Clarkson’s manager are adamant the coach will be at the AFL club next season.

Three days before their grand final against Fremantle, Clarkson said in a club statement that anyone who knows him would understand there is no way he would break his commitment to the Hawks.

It follows a stunning claim on Tuesday night that regardless of the grand final result, Clarkson will go to West Coast next year rather than see out the last year of his current contract.

If the speculation is correct, it would rival Ross Lyon’s shock decision this time two years ago to leave St Kilda for Fremantle.

But Clarkson’s manager Liam Pickering was unequivocal in response to the claim on Fox Footy that the coach would join the Eagles.

“It’s completely, 100 per cent wrong,” Pickering said.

Given it is grand final week, Pickering, Clarkson and Newbold are hamstrung in a sense – they have no choice but to emphatically deny the claim.

It remains to be seen what happens after Saturday, especially if Hawthorn suffer a second-straight grand final loss.

That would spark a wide-ranging debate about whether the combination of Clarkson and this Hawthorn team is capable of winning a premiership.

Clarkson, one of the game’s most astute coaches, has coached the Hawks since 2005 and led them to an unexpected premiership in 2008.

Hawthorn issued a statement on Wednesday where Clarkson stressed his loyalty to the club.

“Those who know me well would understand that my values would never have me walk away from a commitment to our club,” Clarkson said.

“My family and I have had a great journey with this club and we are optimistic that the coming years are going to be an exciting time for Hawthorn.”

Newbold said the speculation was astonishing.

“He’s put out a statement today … you guys in the media actually need to go and talk to the individuals you’re writing the story about,” he said.

“If you understand the nature of the bloke, and it’s evident in the statement … that’s the end of the matter.

“In terms of my Richter scale, it wasn’t even showing up.

“It wasn’t an issue for me.”

Parkin is president of the AFL Coaches Association, as well as a Hawthorn premiership captain and coach.

He also referred to Clarkson’s personality when asked about the speculation.

“I know him well enough … to know he’s made a life commitment to Hawthorn,” Parkin said.

“Unless Hawthorn decide he’s no longer the man, I would expect – I would be absolutely convinced – Alastair would be coach of Hawthorn in 2014.”

West Coast are in the market for a coach following the resignation of John Worsfold, who had held the job since 2002.