Essendon great James Hird says he'd love to return to the club as the next senior coach following the sacking of Brad Scott.
Scott was moved on from the Bombers on Tuesday after a 1-10 start, firmly placing Hird among the candidates for the top job.
"The most important thing for me as an Essendon person is for them to go through the most exhaustive process possible to find the best person," he said on Channel Nine's Footy Classified.
"If the club came to me and said 'would you be part of that process?' I would definitely say yes.
"It is something I'd love to be part of, to pit my wares against the other coaches and see if I'm the best man for the job.
"If I'm the best man for the job, yes I would love to do that job.
"If I'm not, choose the best man and let's go forward and make it the best club in the AFL again."
Hird came close to returning as senior coach when Scott was appointed ahead of the 2023 season.
The Bombers great led the club in 2011-2013 as well as the 2015 season. But his time at the Hangar was marred by the drug saga.
Since, Hird has spent time at GWS and VFL powerhouse Port Melbourne in part-time assistant and coaching director roles whilst also holding prominent media positions.
"I'll put my hand up and say I was part of the mistakes that were made at the Essendon Football Club in 2011 and 2012. They were partly my fault and I put my hand up," he said.
"But a lot of time has gone ... I've suffered a lot, the football club has suffered a lot and the supporters - mostly - have suffered a lot. And I think it's time for everyone to kick in and make this club great again."
His time at the Borough has been shared with former AFL coach Brendan McCartney, who has taught Hird "so much about how to develop players and how to make them better".
"I think I understand the game, what makes a good team on the field, and I understand how to communicate with players and have a connection with players," he said.
"We did a lot right in 2010 to 2013. We obviously did some things wrong and we paid handsomely for that, but I think we were on the right track.
"So I think I know what it takes to coach a football team, but there's also the football club. The spirit of Essendon is not there ... we are at ground zero. That needs people who know how to rebuild that spirit."
