Essendon may appoint Mark McVeigh as head coach
Australian rules football club Essendon may appoint Mark McVeigh, who is currently an assistant to coach Dean Cox at Sydney, as its next head coach. ABC News reports. According to the outlet, McVeigh is close to being appointed, and an announcement could come as soon as the next day.
McVeigh is expected to appear before Essendon's board once again. He may immediately leave Sydney to join Essendon's post-season review meetings and decisions regarding the team's roster.
James Hird's reaction
Former Essendon head coach James Hird, who was also in contention for the role, congratulated McVeigh on his likely appointment. He called McVeigh a close friend and said he was proud of him, while acknowledging his own disappointment with the selection outcome.
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The 53-year-old Hird said he had not yet received an official decision from Essendon. He ruled out returning to the club in another role but noted that he retains a desire to work as a coach. Hird is currently director of coaching at VFL club Port Melbourne.
The season and the candidate's experience
Interim coach Dean Solomon is handing over the team after the worst season in Essendon's history. The club finished the season with a 2–21 record and lost its final match to Port Adelaide by 10 points.
The 45-year-old McVeigh played 232 matches for Essendon. He was among 34 players suspended from playing over the scandal involving the club's supplements program during the period when Hird coached the team. Other candidates for the role included Fremantle assistant Jamie Graham and Adelaide assistant Murray Davis.
