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Hird says he's in charge at Essendon, but Thompson's welcome to stay

27th October, 2014
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Essendon coach James Hird insists his relationship with Mark Thompson remains strong, despite what happened at the AFL club’s tumultuous best and fairest function.

He revealed they have not spoken since the October 1 event, where Thompson effectively put his hand up to remain as Essendon’s senior coach.

Hird said they have separately been on holidays and does not feel anything has changed between them, adding he hopes Thompson will stay at Essendon.

He fronted the media on Monday for the first time since the best and fairest night to welcome back Bombers great Mark Harvey as an assistant coach.

But Thompson’s future at the club is uncertain and he remains in negotiations with club officials.

Hird’s future at Essendon appeared up in the air on October 1, because he had just broken ranks with the club by deciding to appeal against their joint Federal Court loss the previous month.

He did not attend the best and fairest function.

Chairman Paul Little and Thompson did not mention Hird once that night in lengthy and emotional speeches.

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Thompson was interim head coach this year as Hird served a 12-month AFL suspension over the club’s ongoing supplements scandal.

Also in his best and fairest speech, Thompson said he did not want to take a “step back”.

Since then, Essendon have said Hird will stay coach for the time being, as ASADA continues with its case against 34 current and past Bombers players.

Thompson is back from a fortnight overseas and Hird has also enjoyed a week off.

“I don’t think it changed them (circumstances) at all,” Hird said of what happened at the best and fairest function.

“‘Bomber’ and I have a very good relationship that goes back a long time.

“That’s still the same.”

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Hird also downplayed the fact that they had not spoken for three weeks.

“It’s just been a fact of where it’s been – I only got back in the country yesterday and he was away for two weeks before that.

“We’ll catch up very soon.”

Hird was then asked if they could have spoken by telephone while they were on their overseas trips.

“It’s very expensive to call from the other side of the world.

“Surely we can, but everyone wants to put a timeline on it and hurry it up.

“Mark and I will speak very soon.”

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Hird said he is happy for Thompson to stay at the club if that is what he wants.

“There’s definitely a spot for Mark Thompson at Essendon if that’s the way it goes and if that’s what he wants,” Hird said.

“Mark has been coaching for a very long time and been in football for a very long time.

“He has to be given that time to decide what he wants to do.”

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