Mark Thompson has turned down coaching Essendon as James Hird serves his 12-month AFL suspension.
Senior assistant coach Thompson, who was fined $30,000 for his part in the supplements scandal, had been Essendon’s first choice to step in for Hird for 2014.
But the two-time Geelong premiership coach has decided he doesn’t have the hunger required to return to senior coaching, and admits he may not even be at the club next year.
“We went through a big year and the players deserve someone who’s fully into it,” Thompson told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 program.
“I feel better but I’ve been through a tough year, a really tough year … it’s taken a lot out of me.”
Clearly still unhappy with being fingered by the AFL-ASADA investigation over the suspect 2012 supplements program at the club, Thompson said he was happy to remain at Essendon in whatever other capacity he was required.
But he believes that whoever does step into the senior coaching role may not necessarily want him involved.
“I wouldn’t say it’s 100 per cent, no,” Thompson said when asked whether he would still be at the Bombers in 2014.
“That just depends on who they select as coach, and where they see me fit if they do.”
Thompson’s decision not to step into the breach vacated by Hird means another Essendon assistant, former Adelaide star Simon Goodwin, and Brisbane assistant and ex-Bombers champion Mark Harvey loom as front-runners.
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