Essendon great Tim Watson has revealed there's a "strong push" for James Hird to return to the Bombers as the next senior coach.
The Tullamarine club has entered the coaching race after sacking Brad Scott following a dismal start to the season, winning one game from 11 start.
Hird had previously spent time leading the club he played 16 seasons for, spending 85 games in the hotseat (2011-13, 2015) that was ultimately marred by the drug scandal in the 2013, and ran a close second to Scott for the top job ahead of 2023.
"There are a lot of Essendon people out there," Watson said on SEN.
"A lot of Essendon people I know, who have different levels of support for the club. Some people are financial backers of the club. Some people I know, who I've met over the years, are fans of the football club.
"I get the feeling that there is a very, very strong push from a lot of people out there to get James Hird back at Essendon coaching.
"I do not know whether or not he wants to put him through that process. He put himself through the process last time. I believe, the next in line, had it not been a choice between Brad Scott or James Hird, then James was second on that interview process.
"Kevin Sheedy was the only one on the board at that time that voted against Brad Scott actually being the coach of Essendon.
"He wanted James Hird to be the coach before they appointed Brad Scott."
Hird has spent over a decade away from the Bombers, taking on multiple media roles and football-related positions at GWS and VFL powerhouse Port Melbourne as the director of coaching.
Hird played 253 games for the Bombers including the two premierships in 1993 and 2000. He also won a Brownlow medal, five All-Australian blazers, five Crichton Medals and a Norm Smith.
Hird captained the club for eight seasons, and is in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
