JAMES Hird will return to coach Essendon next year after surviving the club's board meeting on Wednesday.
Bombers chairman Paul Little confirmed Hird, whose 12-month ban expires in August, will resume coaching duties in 2015.
Hird is contracted through to the end of 2016, but his position had been in doubt after last Thursday night, when his wife Tania reignited claims AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou tipped off the Bombers about the supplements scandal.
However, after seeking assurances from Hird and his wife about their future conduct, the club's board decided the coach-in-waiting would come back to the club.
"Following these discussions, James understands and is in agreement with the terms of his employment and with the Essendon Football Club," Little said at a press conference at the club's Tullamarine headquarters.
"The club and James have discussed very clear parameters and expectations moving forward around actions deemed to be in the best interests of our club."
Tania Hird's comments came on the eve of Essendon's season-opening match against North Melbourne.
Although the Bombers went on to a commanding win in Dustin Fletcher's club record-breaking 379th game, Little said the club's management was "extremely disappointed" with Tania's comments.
"And the resulting media … continues to be a distraction and at the same time generates unnecessary stress on the players, coaches and staff."
Hird fronted the board via teleconference on Wednesday from Singapore, where he is studying, while Tania Hird also met the board in Melbourne to explain her side of the situation.
Little said the culture of the club had changed from the events of 2012 and the ensuing supplements scandal and that it needed to move forward.
"The interests of the Essendon Football Club must remain greater than those of any one individual, and remain the focal point of our combined endeavours,"he said.
Essendon's players were told of thedecision on Wednesday and according to Little, were "adamant" theywanted Hird to return as coach, and for "the external noise" to end.
Tania Hird met with the board atLittle's request, and after vigorous discussion the chairman believed the clubnow had a much clearer understanding of the reasons behind her comments lastweek.
Chairman Paul Little before telling reporters that James Hird will coach in 2015. Picture: Getty Images
The board was unanimous in allowing Hird to resume coaching after serving hisban, having "re-highlighted" certain obligations within his contract.
"The important thing is thatthere are now clear protocols in place," Little said.
"The Hirds firmly understandwhat they did caused a massive distraction that was unintended but happenednonetheless. And I believe there is a very remote chance of that reoccurring.
"If it does, it will be handledthrough the protocols."
With Mark Thompson leading the clubthrough 2014, the Bombers don't expect any ill-feelings between the board andHird when he returns.
"James is a very strongpersonality and that's part of what makes him a very good coach, and the boardhave no question about his coaching ability," Little said.
"It's really James embracingand accepting what's in the best interests of the club and putting that first.And I believe that's now happening."
