Essendon will announce its new senior coach next week, and they are set to be included in the players' exit meetings, according to caretaker Dean Solomon.
The Bombers are working through four candidates, including former club players James Hird and Mark McVeigh, who are deemed the leading candidates to win the role. Murray Davis (Adelaide) and Jaymie Graham (Fremantle) are also in the running.
Solomon's tenure has been difficult since taking over from Brad Scott in May, winning only one game, with the final season clash against Port Adelaide on Sunday putting an end to a difficult year.
The interim coach confirmed Essendon chief executive Tim Roberts addressed the entire club and indicated the announcement will be within days.
"They expect that early next week they'll announce a coach and that that coach will potentially, most likely, be available to be part of those (exit) meetings, which is a good thing," Solomon said.
"I'm not responsible for the decision on the new coach, but I have a lot of trust in the decision that will be made, and it will be the right coach for this football club at the right time.
"Whoever that is and whatever that means, I guess that will take care of itself in the coming week or so."
Solomon is contracted for next year, and is keen to remain in Tullamarine in 2027, but acknowledged the new coach may want to overhaul the football program.
"There'll be a new coach in place and it all makes sense because the structure will be clearer," he said.
"I don't love delving into my private life, but my wife and kids also live in northern New South Wales, so there are a few moving parts to it."
The Bombers' caretaker was also quizzed on the future of star midfielder Zach Merrett, who is interested in joining Hawthorn in the upcoming off-season for a second consecutive year.
Solomon noted how Merrett has helped him throughout the 11 weeks, and hoped he remained in the red and black.
"Zach's been incredible for me while I've been in this role," he said.
"Incredibly supportive, driven, his leadership to the group has really been powerful. He's guided this young group in an elite level.
"He's a six-time Crichton Medallist, and he'd have to go close to nudging another one, so he's a champion of our football club and I really hope that he stays."
