Essendon have scheduled a press conference this afternoon to address the future of senior coach James Hird. Club president Paul Little and CEO Xavier Campbell at which Hird is expected to announce his resignation. Join The Roar for live updates from 3:15pm AEST.
Reports broke earlier today that Hird was set to announce his resignation via The Age journalist Jake Niall.
More:
>> James Hird is gone, and he shouldn’t be the last
>> James Hird resigns as Essendon coach
>> The coach must always pay the price
The move comes following Essendon’s demoralising 112-point loss to the Adelaide Crows in Round 20 of the 2015 AFL season.
It was Essendon’s fifth consecutive loss and their second loss of 100 points or greater for the year.
Despite surviving immense pressure during the height of the Essendon supplements saga it appears that Hird could not survive the poor form of his own coaching.
The Bombers are currently fifteenth on the ladder with just five wins for the year after making finals last year under Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson.
The Bombers will announce an interim replacement for Hird at the press conference with former Geelong player Matthew Egan believed to be the front runner.
The Bombers have three experienced senior coaches on staff, former Fremantle coach Mark Harvey, former Adelaide coach Neil Craig and former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld, but it’s believed they will favour the fresh face of assistant Egan.
Hird’s resignation makes Essendon the third club to be looking for a new senior coach ahead of the 2016 season, following the untimely death of Adelaide senior coach Phil Walsh, and Carlton’s decision to sack Mick Malthouse earlier in the year.
Hird’s senior coaching career will finish with a record of 41 wins, 43 losses and a draw from 85 games coaches across the 2011-13 and 2015 seasons.
Essendon qualified for finals twice under his leadership, losing an eliminational final in 2011 to Carlton, and being disqualified from the 2013 finals series as part of the penalties related to the supplements scandal.
Join The Roar for live updates from James Hird’s resignation press conference from 3:15pm AEST.
Adolph Landsman
Guest
Flanked by Bombers players, an emotional Hird told a media conference at Essendon headquarters on Tuesday he decided on Monday night to quit as coach.
Josh
Expert
Agree Ryan. Much better men than Little have fallen on their swords so far in this saga and the way he has spun things coming out of the club has been just about irresponsible. The fact he was immediately on the defensive at what was otherwise a surprisingly lighthearted presser says it all really - I wouldn't trust a single word that comes out of his mouth. (also, he looks like a vampire.)
Ryan Buckland
Expert
That Paul Little will emerge from this almost unscathed from a management perspective says it all. Hird even said in his opening remarks that the board said the club can't move on until both the coach and chairman are no longer in their respective positions. If he were the chairman of a listed company, overseeing the equivilent destruction of value and mismanagement that has gone on at Essendon, he would be tossed out by ASIC. All he's got is that "we made the decisions in the moment and we don't resile from those decisions". What a joke.
Josh
Expert
Thanks for those who joined me for today's live blog. Key points: - Hird and club insist it was Hird's decision to resign, not a 'sacking' by the board. Hird says the key reason for his offer to resign is the hopes that it will relieve pressure on the club and give the players some space to resume a more normal routine. - Matthew Egan will take over as the club's interim coach for the remaining three games of the year. - Paul Little will stay on for the time being until the WADA appeal comes to an end and a replacement senior coach has been found.
Josh
Expert
Yep, if things go badly with WADA Hird will probably cop a ban from working as an AFL coach but given he's not continuing in that role I doubt he will care much. Might be banned from working with other sports for a certain period of time too.
Josh
Expert
Full statement from Paul Little that was emailed to Essendon Members a few minutes prior to the press conference: "Today, the Club has announced that the board has accepted James Hird's resignation as senior coach. "This is the culmination of many weeks of open discussion between the Club and James, which ultimately led to James tendering his resignation last night. "Our on field performances in 2015 have clearly been unacceptable. As the season progressed, it has become increasingly apparent to the Board that change was needed. "To his credit, James has always accepted that he is ultimately accountable for the performance of the team. "There have been a number of mitigating factors around our performance in 2015, including injuries to key players and the ASADA / WADA process. "However, across every measure, season 2015 has fallen well short of our expectations, and James’ expectations. "On behalf of the Board of the Essendon Football Club, I wish to thank James for being a loyal and dedicated servant of Essendon over the past 25 years. "His love and passion for the Club can never be questioned. "James is also one of the most resilient men I have met. In the midst of unprecedented pressure James has stood tall, and been steadfast throughout in his belief of what was right. "He will forever be remembered as a champion of this Club. A legend. "The man who combined immense talent with fierce competitiveness; loyalty; endurance and a sense of fair play. "A player and a captain who was admired by all; loved by Bomber fans. "James Hird’s place in the history of our club should never be questioned. "I have spent in excess of two years working closely with James. We didn't agree on everything, but we always agreed that the players were our number one priority. "In relation to his departure, the Board and James have agreed on a negotiated settlement. The terms of this shall remain confidential. "A process for selecting a new coach will be confirmed over coming days, and we will provide details on that process in due course. "In the meantime, Matthew Egan will coach the team for the remainder of the season in a caretaker capacity. Matthew has been an assistant coach at the Club for the last four years, he knows the players intimately and will be supported by the other coaches. "The internal football department review, being conducted by CEO Xavier Campbell, will be finalised in the next month. "The review is broad ranging and has focussed on: - Structure - Reporting and Evaluation - Roles and Responsibilities - List Management and Recruiting - External Benchmarking "Finally, I thought it also timely to discuss my own position as Chairman in light of today’s announcement. "When I inherited the role of Chairman, I resolved to see the ASADA investigation through to its conclusion and allow the next Chairman of Essendon clear air to lead this Club into its next great era. "As such I plan to stay on as Chairman of the EFC until I can steer the Club and its players through the final stage of the WADA appeal. "As mentioned above, we are close to completing the review of our football operations, which now will include the search for a new senior coach. "Overseeing these changes, together with the orderly transition to a new Chairman, will be my key focus during this period. "I encourage you to watch the press conference streamed live at 3:15pm on our website or by clicking here." Paul Little AO Chairman
Josh
Expert
That's that. Paul Little tells Hird "well done mate" as they get up and prepare to leave.
Josh
Expert
Asked if he believes the AFL played a role in him leaving the club, he says "his views are pretty clear", but doesn't reiterate them. Says he "doesn't have any evidence" of the AFL playing a role in him not being coach anymore.
Josh
Expert
Little very defensive when asked whether it was the board or James that brought up the idea of him leaving first. Doesn't give a clear answer.
Josh
Expert
Little insists there'd been 4-5 weeks of discussion with James. Insists that James was the one who offered to stand down, with no decision by the board until after James had made his offer.
Josh
Expert
Asked if he will walk away after the WADA appeal is over, Paul Little says a whole lot of nothing. Insists he will stay until it's over at least, also wants to find new coach, establish new chairman.
Reccymech
Roar Rookie
How does this play out Re: WADA outcome? I ain't no lawyer, so thinking aloud, I see it if Hird is no more within the AFL sphere and an unfavourable decision is made it doesn't affect Hirdy. However, Essendon, or ex Essendon players with other AFL clubs it's all a set for the courts...again. Ding, Ding Seconds out...round 3.
Josh
Expert
Says some decisions he made in 2011 were mistakes, but not mistakes to the level that they've been 'crucified' for.
Josh
Expert
Asked if he's had to sign a non-disclosure agreement, Hird jokes "What do you think?"
Josh
Expert
Paul Little could have a great career in politics with this kind of doublespeak. Uses a lot of words, says nothing.
Josh
Expert
"We have no regrets" - says Paul Little on board decisions.
Josh
Expert
Paul Little very much umming and ahhing his way when asked it the board needs to be held responsible for it's decision.
Josh
Expert
Paul Little says they didn't sack James - he offered to resign.
Josh
Expert
Hird jokes about needing a job. "Anyone who needs a belligerent personality who doesn't back down and works reasonably hard..."
Josh
Expert
Says Bombers were in good form up until WADA appeal announced.