‘That’s probably it’: Hird’s update on proposed Bombers meeting for new role

Essendon great James Hird says he hasn’t met with the club about another role and suggested a return to Tullamarine was unlikely.

Hird was last week “genuinely upset” after details of a potential private meeting with the club leaked not long after he was sent a text.

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Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reported Hird was set to catch up with Bombers coach Mark McVeigh to discuss the possibility of an alternate role after he missed out on the senior coaching gig.

That’s despite Hird initially saying he was only interested in returning to the club to be senior coach again.

Speaking on Nine on Tuesday night, Hird clarified that the proposed meeting hadn’t gone ahead.

“No meeting and no formal offer from the Essendon Football Club,” Hird said.

Asked if that ruled out a return to Essendon, Hird said: “I’m not sure. I don’t know,” before conceding “that probably is it.”

Hird says he’s been in touch with friend and former teammate McVeigh, who he also coached with at the Giants, since he got the top job at Tullamarine.

“I’ve spoken to Mark a few times, yes,” Hird continued.

“He’s a mate, and we speak about footy and some opinions on different players. But that’s basically as a mate.

“At the moment there’s nothing (with regards to an offer).”

It’s unclear if Hird would be open to joining another AFL club.

The 53-year old has been constantly linked with a return to Essendon since the club sacked Brad Scott in May.

Hird departed the Bombers in 2015 in a coaching tenure impacted by the infamous supplements scandal.

He last worked in AFL clubland at GWS in early 2023 and has been director of coaching for VFL team Port Melbourne since 2025.

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