Outgoing Essendon coach James Hird will be paid as much as $1.5 million to not see out the rest of his two remaining years as Essendon coach.
Having already paid Hird a lofty sum of $1 million for his year off in France in 2014.
Caroline Wilson has said that the deal will be worth around $1.5 million, though Essendon chairman Paul Little said that the details of the arrangement would remain private.
Hird was suspended by the AFL in late 2013 for his part in the Essendon supplements scandal that has rocked the club since 2013.
The findings that saw Hird suspended also cost the club a $2 million fine, but earned him a new contract with Essendon as coach – being re-signed for two years.
The Bombers are sitting a lowly 15th on the AFL with just five wins this season.
They remain beset by the “supplements scandal” that has dogged them for two-and-a-half years, with up to 20 players awaiting the re-hearing of anti-doping charges in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in November.
Hird, 42, took over as head coach in 2011.
Sports scientist Stephen Dank started working at the club in 2011 and was behind the supplements program that began in 2012 and has brought the club such misery.
With AAP
WhereIsGene
Guest
Hird has absolutely cleaned up out of this. He's been paid millions to run his club firmly into the ground in a way most coaches would struggle to achieve if they tried. Favorite son status blinded the Essendon faithful in a manner that was scary to behold.
Bert
Roar Rookie
Yep for such a smart man Little and his board were very slow to act. But like you i'm not a Bombers fan so couldn't give two hoots.
AussieBokkie
Guest
Good riddance to an arrogant and entitled joke of coach. I've never liked Essendon but I am happy for them that they've finally done the sensible thing. It shouldn't have taken them this long but at least they can move forward now. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Bert
Roar Rookie
How much is Little worth?? he'd have that tucked away in his back pocket.