NEW Essendon coach Mark McVeigh says he understands the feelings of Bombers supporters desperate for former coach James Hird to return to the club, but has urged them to embrace a new era.  

As reported by AFL.com.au on Sunday, the Sydney assistant and former Bomber has taken over at the helm after presenting to the Essendon board on Monday, and was unveiled at a media conference on Tuesday morning. 

McVeigh had been in a race of four candidates for the Essendon role alongside former club captain and coach Hird, Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and Adelaide assistant Murray Davis.

He has signed on as a coach through until the end of 2029 and will begin in the role immediately.

A group of Essendon supporters have flagged a challenge to the club's board in the wake of Hird missing out on the senior coaching job, and McVeigh said he understood how they felt. 

"I love James Hird. He's one of my best mates, and it was difficult to go through the process against a good friend," McVeigh said at his first media conference as Essendon coach on Tuesday morning. 

"I don't fear those people. I actually embrace how they feel, and I understand it, to be fair. He's been a constant in my life since I was 17 years of age and we spoke this morning. The way he spoke to me, of how proud of this moment for me (he was), it hasn't broken us.

"We're still together, but I understand and embrace the feelings of people who love James Hird because I do too."

McVeigh said he would discuss the possibility of a role for Hird in the football department as Essendon. 

"Once I found out I got the role, (James) was certainly at the top of my list, there's no doubt about that," he said. 

Essendon president Andrew Welsh supported McVeigh's desire to bring Hird into a role at the club, and said he hoped to speak with Hird later on Tuesday. 

"I feel there is significant value James can bring," Welsh said. 

"Not just tokenistic, but real value James can bring to our club and playing group."

Welsh also addressed the prospect of "people coming out of the shadows that want to challenge the board", saying the club would not be deterred by the threat of a board challenge. 

"I can tell you, since I've been here, this club has never been more united," he said. 

"So these people want to keep living in the shadows and come and try and destabilise our club - we don't jump at shadows.

"We're a strong club, and we'll continue to make sure that we're making the right decisions on behalf of our members and our teams and our staff to get this club moving forward again."

McVeigh said he was not looking to "live in the past" and put a call out to the club's supporter base, which has been sharply divided over the prospect of Hird returning as coach after he oversaw the supplements program that resulted in year-long doping suspensions for 34 of the club's players in 2016. 

"I want to call out the Essendon armada - the thousands of supporters, members and coteries. I don't ask for your patience. I ask for your re-alignment to our club. This is a significant day for our club and I can't wait to start," he said. 

He said he was "humbled" to return to the club he played for as its new senior coach. 

"My mum and dad walked me in here as a 17-year-old, and they walked me back today as a 45-year-old," he said. 

"A lot of hard work has gone into getting to this point, 15 years of coaching really hard, and I'm just so incredibly humbled to be back."

In a statement released on Monday night, McVeigh said he looked forward to developing the club's list. 

"There's genuine talent on this list, particularly in the emerging group, but talent alone doesn't get you where you want to go. Our job is high standards, real connection, and total clarity on how we want to play and what it means to pull on the red and black. What excites me is what this group can become together. Our job as coaches is to build an environment that gives them every chance to get there.

"I want us to be brave. Aggressive with the ball, relentless without it, and a defensive system our players trust. When people watch Essendon play, there should be no confusion about what we stand for.

"Pre-season will be demanding. We're establishing our standards from day one, physically, mentally, technically. There'll be a real emphasis on competing hard and building our game model together, so every player knows exactly what's expected of them before a ball is bounced.

"I can't wait to get started."

Essendon had been searching for its next coach since sacking Brad Scott after the Bombers' round 11 loss to Richmond.

McVeigh, who played 232 games for the club, has been Sydney's defensive coach for the past three seasons. He was also a caretaker senior coach for Greater Western Sydney in 2022.

He has previously been at the helm of both the Greater Western Sydney and Sydney academies, while holding assistant roles at both clubs.

Essendon president Andrew Welsh said the board was unanimous in its decision to appoint McVeigh.

"We have been extremely clear on the strategy and direction of this football club. We are building the next successful era for Essendon, with a view to playing finals, winning finals and competing for premierships. Mark is the best coach to take us forward to achieve that," he said. 

"This industry demands high performance, continual improvement and a relentless drive to get better every day. We went looking for a coach who could establish a clear football identity, develop our people and build a culture that's disciplined and connected from day one. 

"Mark was clearly the best candidate for what this role demands. He's developed emerging talent throughout his coaching career, and he connects with younger players in a way that matters for a list at our stage. His gameplan is built for the modern game, quick ball movement, adaptable structures, and it's suited to where this competition is heading. 

"He's coached at multiple high-performing clubs and played and coached under high-performing coaches, so he knows exactly what it takes to build a winning environment. Everything he presented to us aligned with the strategy this board has already set. We weighed every candidate against what this role actually demands, and Mark was the clear standout."

Up to 18 AFL-listed Bombers are expected to continue preparing for the VFL finals, while pre-season for the club is set to begin on November 9.

Essendon finished the season with a 2-21 win-loss record to claim the wooden spoon.

Speaking on AFL.com.au's Access on Monday, Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd said the decision to overlook Hird in favour of McVeigh would "divide fans", but he was pleased for his "ruthless" former teammate. 

"It is going to divide fans. James is the most loved person, I think, in the history of the Essendon Football Club," he said.

"But just on Mark, he's done the hard yards for well over a decade. He's coached the Allies ... he worked at the Giants, where he became the interim coach there, and then been under John Longmire, under Dean Cox. I'm really, really pleased for him."

Sydney footy boss Leon Cameron thanked McVeigh for his dedication and commitment during his time with the Swans.

"Mark has been an important part of our coaching group for many years, and his wealth of knowledge and experience has been immensely valuable to our playing group," Cameron said. 

"This is a significant opportunity for Mark to take on a role as a senior coach, so while he will be missed, we wish Mark and his family well as they embark on this next chapter."