James Hird has met with the Essendon sub-committee as the club searches for a new coach following the departure of Ben Rutten.
The Bombers conducted interviews with prospective senior coaches such as Melbourne’s Adem Yze and St Kilda’s Brendon Lade on Wednesday, with Hird said to be one of the few remaining candidates likely to land the job.
The 49-year-old has been serving as an assistant coach for GWS this season as he continues to make his return to the game following his departure from the Bombers in 2015.
After being announced Essendon’s senior coach in 2011, Hird faced three years of controversy while at the helm before being banned for the 2014 season as the club dealt with the fallout of their infamous supplements saga.
Should Hird secure the job, it would be a remarkable return to the club where he won two premierships and a Brownlow medal in his playing days.
However, Essendon legend Tim Watson says he would be surprised if Hird made a return and that there were too many scars from the supplements saga for him to be a Bomber again.
“I think for a lot of people it would drag back all those things that happened during that period of time that he was there as coach,” he said speaking on SEN.
“I’d be more than surprised if he ended being the coach of the Essendon Football Club, but I’m happy for him to be part of the process and for him to have the courage to put his hand up and even go through it.”
Essendon will continue going through the process to name their next senior coach, with former Carlton coach Robert Walls and Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis among the Bombers’ selection panel.
Many former AFL senior coaches such as Ross Lyon and Leon Cameron have declined to put their hand up for the role, while Alastair Clarkson rejected the Bombers’ last-ditch effort to poach him last month in favour of North Melbourne.
The club is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.
Essendon cheer squad by Flickered available HERE and used under a Creative Commons license. The photo has not been modified.
