Essendon star Zach Merrett is "sad" for James Hird after he missed out on the Bombers' top coaching role, which was won by Mark McVeigh.
Hird had long been linked to the vacancy after Brad Scott was sacked in May, with many tipping he'd assume the position after coming second to Scott in 2022.
Essendon underwent a thorough process and revealed that McVeigh, with an extensive coaching background at GWS and Sydney, was the right man for the job.
However, reports indicated Merrett had a greater chance of remaining in the red and black next year if they appointed Hird as senior coach.
“James and I are close, and we have a strong relationship and bond," he said, according to the Herald Sun.
“We chatted through the process, and I wasn't getting involved. I'm sad for him, but it didn't have any impact. Spike will do a great job, and fans will fall in love with his passion.”
Hird coached Merrett in 2015.
Merrett is set to jet off overseas after a tumultuous season, with the club claiming the wooden spoon after managing two victories.
The classy left-footer attempted to move to Hawthorn last year via trade, but was held to his contract before relieving himself of the captaincy.
Despite being in line for a record seventh Crichton Medal, Merrett found the year to be draining, which is expected to lead to a secondary trade request to the Hawks.
“It's been a pretty stressful year, and losing so many games, you get emotionally drained,'' he said.
“It will be nice to get away and clear my head.
“It was a long season, and it was nice to finally get a coach announced. There's a buzz with finals here, and it was good to get around the fans.”
McVeigh has shed light on him and Hird reuniting at the Bombers.
“It's a realistic chance. Ultimately it will come down to James,” McVeigh said last week.
“He's really enjoying his role at Port Melbourne and he has said he's got some interest from other clubs which is fantastic and he may choose to do that but him and I in the next day or so will sit down and chat about what that looks like.”
Hird is not the only name who has been linked, with Nick Malceski another. McVeigh said he had not had a conversation with Malceski but there were about 10 names that would be considered.
“I think we need to look at three (new coaches) at the moment…we need to bring two or three in to shape the change and we'll target those coaches,” McVeigh said.
“There's a number of good coaches out there, not all of them willing to move, but we'll target some.”
