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James Hird could make a return to Essendon in his former position as head coach after being interviewed for the vacant role by the club.
Key points:
- Hird was interviewed for the role on Wednesday
- He previously served as Bombers coach, resigning from the post in 2015
- The Bombers are looking to replace Ben Rutten, who was sacked last month
Hird met with the Bombers’ coaching sub-committee on Wednesday as the club searches for a replacement for Ben Rutten.
Rutten was sacked last month with a year to go on his contract.
Hird previously coached Essendon between 2011 and 2015, although his tenure included a 12-month ban in 2014 for his role in the club’s supplement saga.
He resigned from the position in 2015.
The 49-year-old returned to the AFL in a coaching capacity this year as a member of Greater Western Sydney’s staff.
Hird is regarded as a Bombers great, having captained the club to its most recent premiership in 2000.
He was also a member of the Bombers’ 1993 premiership-winning squad.
Aside from his premiership success, Hird’s playing career was highlighted by winning the 1996 Brownlow Medal alongside Michael Voss and claiming the Norm Smith Medal in 2000.
He also won five Essendon best and fairest awards and earned as many All Australian selections.
Hird has been mentioned in media circles as a possible replacement for Rutten, who departed the club after only two seasons in charge.
Bombers president David Barham has previously distanced himself from speculation the club was looking to lure Hird back to the club as coach.
“I won’t be sounding anyone out because there is a process … to decide who our next coach is,” Barham said last month.
The Bombers named a six-member sub-committee to appoint the club’s next AFL head coach, with executive general manager of football Josh Mahoney leading the panel.
Carlton great Robert Walls and four-time Hawthorn premiership winner Jordan Lewis are also members of the sub-committee.
Melbourne assistant coach Adem Yze is believed to be among the leading candidates, with Brad Scott and Don Pyke also linked to the role.
Former Fremantle and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon announced last week he would not be applying for the Bombers job.
Prior to Rutten’s sacking, the Bombers had unsuccessfully attempted to recruit Alastair Clarkson to the club, but the four-time premiership coach instead joined North Melbourne on a five-year deal.
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