Hird returned to Essendon after serving a 12-month AFL imposed suspension.
James Hird’s 12-month suspension is officially over, although he will play a back-seat role to stand-in coach Mark Thompson until the 2014 season is over.
He arrived for his first day back at Essendon on Monday, having served his 12-month AFL ban for his role in the club’s controversial supplements program.
Hird told reporters that his focus was on 2015, with Thompson to continue as senior coach for the rest of the season.
“The roles are pretty well defined – Bomber is the coach until the end of the year and he has done a fantastic job,” Hird said.
“I’m so proud of the players, they way they have played and the whole club, the way they have performed the whole year.
“It won’t be hard, I’m concentrating on 2015 and there is a lot of work to do.”
Hird said he hoped Thompson would remain at the club next season, although the two-time Geelong premiership winning coach said last week he was unsure of his role in 2015.
“We’d all like Bomber to stay on, particularly, I’d like him to stay on – he is obviously a great coach, he’s been terrific for the players this year and for the whole club this year,” Hird said.
“It’s his decision, but we’ve had a few chats and we’ll sit down over time.”
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