Essendon icon Kevin Sheedy has reiterated his position in backing James Hird to return to the Bombers as senior coach following the sacking of Brad Scott.
Sheedy has previously been vocal about wanting Hird to take the reins of the Victorian club and pushed his case ahead of the 2023 season, but ultimately fell short of Scott.
On Tuesday, Hird declared he'd love to coach Essendon again on Channel Nine's Footy Classified, which Sheedy endorsed.
"It would keep the place calmer then where it's been," he said on SEN.
"If he was wanting to take the job, I'd vote for him in my membership vote. As simple as that. It's up to the board, and the president to make that decision.
"I think it's good. I think it's open. I think it's honest. I did make a comment saying to coach Essendon, you have to love Essendon. I think he does. And I think he'll do everything to make this right this time around, if he ever gets it. He may not get it. There may be people at Essendon who never want him to coach at Essendon. I don't know who they are.
"I think in the end, the people and the fans most likely do. I don't know what the feeling is around town. But if he got the chance, he won't muck this up."
Sheedy noted the club needs someone who lives and breathes Essendon to get them out of the current turmoil they face.
He referred Eddie McGuire's heavy involvement with Collingwood at the end of the 1990s, dragging the club "out of the quagmire" to become a powerhouse of the AFL.
Sheedy believes Hird is that person for the Bombers.
"I think if you go deeper, and dig deeper, you give it your life," he added.
"I couldn't do anything more for Essendon when I coached there. I'm only going back on my feelings. Some guys view it as a job. To me, it was never a job. And I think Hird is that kind of person."
But Sheedy stopped short of suggesting he'd push the Brownlow Medallist for the position.
"I won't be doing anything," he said.
"I'm not out there canvassing for anybody. Once he gets the job, I'd help him. It's very hard. You can't force your opinion on people."
President Andrew Welsh didn't rule out Hird for the vacancy.
Hird previously coached the Bombers in 2011-2013 and the 2015 season for a total of 85 games. His time as coach was marred by the drug saga.
