Essendon has pulled the trigger and sacked head coach Ben Rutten less than 24 hours after the club’s season ended.
The Bombers lost to Richmond on Saturday night, after which Rutten was seen crying in the dressing rooms.
He was contracted for next season but is gone effective immediately.
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Following the loss on Saturday, the second-year coach spoke candidly to media about what was one of the more shameful weeks for an AFL club in recent years.
Reports emerged on Monday that Rutten would be sacked before round 23, then the Bombers publicly went after free agent coach Alastair Clarkson, only to lose out to him joining North Melbourne.
Rutten was forced to front up on Friday despite his name being dragged through the headlines for days, and he bravely led the team on Saturday, knowing it would almost certainly be his last appearance in the colours.
“It’s been disappointing. I probably think I deserve better,” he said after the game.
“I think that’s something we need to as a club just come together as a whole football club and we need to stick to a plan, put our heads down, bum up and do the work.
“There’s no other way for this football club to get back to where it wants to be.
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“I love coaching this footy club. I love coaching the players. I’ve got so much belief in the playing group, I’ve got so much belief in my staff and the people that are supporting me.
“What I saw this week has only given me more confidence in what I’m doing.”
There’s been support for James Hird to return to the club and take the reins.
Hird – a Bombers legend – left in disgrace a decade ago, ending his first coaching stint with the infamous doping scandal that brought the club to its knees.
Rutten became Essendon’s sole head coach in 2021 after spending 2020 in a transitional period with John Worsfold.
He led the Bombers to finals last year, but they couldn’t snap their long drought and still have not won a finals game since 2004.
There were high hopes for the red and black team this season but they won only seven of 22 games, and ended the campaign with horror losses to the Giants, Power, and Tigers.
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