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James Hird’s tenure as Essendon senior coach is over, with the club announcing his resignation at a press conference this afternoon.
The move comes after Essendon suffered yet another heavy defeat, going down to the Adelaide Crows by a margin of 112 points on Saturday afternoon.
More:
>> James Hird is gone, and he shouldn’t be the last
>> Essendon and James Hird press conference – live updates
>> The coach must always pay the price
The club’s form has been woeful under Hird this year after making finals in 2014 under interim coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson.
Despite a relatively successful campaign, Bomber was left without a position at Essendon in 2015 following Hird’s return from suspension related to the supplements scandal.
The Bombers have won just five games under Hird’s leadership in 2015 and sit 15th on the ladder, having lost their last five games in a row by an average margin of more than 53 points.
While Hird’s sacking is a direct result of the team’s poor form, many will feel that it is long overdue given his involvement in Essendon’s supplements saga.
If rumour is to believe, Hird was very nearly given the axe before the 2015 season started after he split from the club to begin his own legal action against ASADA.
For whatever reason, the Essendon board’s hand was stayed on that occasion, but it appears that while they could bear an unruly coach, they could not abide an unsuccessful one.
Hird had a year to run on his contract and will receive a negotiated settlement. It is believed he was to be paid something in the realm of $750,000 in 2016.
The Bombers named former Geelong player Matthew Egan as Hird’s interim replacement. Egan has been an assistant coach at Essendon for four years.
Essendon is now the third club to be looking for a new coach ahead of the 2016 season, following Carlton’s sacking of Mick Malthouse and the tragic death of Adelaide senior coach Phil Walsh.
Hird coached Essendon for 85 games across the 2011-13 and 2015 seasons for 41 wins, 43 losses and a draw.
He coached the Bombers to a finals qualification twice, but lost to Carlton in an elimination final in 2011 and was disqualified from finals as part of the penalties related to the supplements scandal in 2013.
As a player Hird was one of the greats, playing 253 games for Essendon in a career that included the 1993 and 2000 premierships.
He won five Essendon best and fairest awards, was named All-Australian on five occasions, and jointly won the 1996 Brownlow Medal with Brisbane Lions legend Michael Voss. He captained Essendon from 1998-2005.
It’s over: James Hird has parted ways with #Essendon. http://t.co/oFBKrWCx7y #AFL #DonTheSash
— The Age (@theage) August 18, 2015
The club will hold a press conference later this afternoon: http://t.co/rKAES7biVC Live stream will be available. #DonTheSash
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) August 18, 2015
Hearing that Matthew Egan will be named interim @EssendonFC coach @SENNews
— Brett Thomas (@BrettT_SEN) August 18, 2015
Of all the coaches to finish off Hird, it was Scott Camporeale.
— Andrew (@andrew_54) August 18, 2015
You can’t polish a Hird. pic.twitter.com/jqzwal7mIE
— Me? I like Football (@MeILikeFootball) August 18, 2015
I hope Tania Hird is taking notes
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Essendon would want to have some pretty good reasons to sack Hird.
— Titus O’Reily (@TitusOReily) August 18, 2015
Live pictures coming out of Essendon HQ with the news of James Hird’s impending departure. pic.twitter.com/FW5DxSMcMu
— Bound For Glory News (@Bound4GloryNews) August 18, 2015
James Hird leaves Essendon HQ for the final time. pic.twitter.com/G9aXo354ON
— Laurence (@LaurenceRosen) August 18, 2015