AFL.com.au is reporting Ben Buckley’s sudden departure as Football Federation Australia chief executive may put him in the frame for the CEO position at North Melbourne.

But Kangaroos chairman James Brayshaw has denied the claims saying he spoke with the former AFL General Manager of broadcasting , strategy and major events about the job during the Olympics in London but was told ‘no’.

"I am suggesting the man I had a beer in with London had no idea about any of this, so I think that's probably hit him from the side," Brayshaw said on Triple M’s Rush Hour program.”

Brayshaw said Buckley’s exit from the FFA was unexpected.

"This is all absolute news for me, it'll be very interesting to see what he does because he is a very, very capable man."

Brayshaw said the recruitment process is "quite a long way down the track" but admitted the "process will continue."

North chief operating officer Cam Vale has been in the CEO chair since the resignation of Eugene Arocca and is also in line for the position.

Buckley, a former vice-captain of North Melbourne, played alongside current board member Mark Brayshaw, brother of James.

The former Nike executive took the reigns at the FFA in 2006, after being poached by Frank Lowy from the AFL.