ESSENDON icon Tim Watson wants James Hird to return to the club, but not in a coaching capacity until the current season ends.
Hird, currently serving a 12-month ban for his part in the Bombers' 2012 supplements program, arrived in Melbourne late on Tuesday night after embarking on a study tour in France.
Hird will be free to return to the coach's box for Essendon's round 23 clash with Carlton on the last weekend in August.
The Bombers are yet to make a call on what role, if any, Hird will have in the 2014 season.
Hird fronted the media on Wednesday morning, saying he "can't wait" to get back to Essendon following a four-month sojourn in Europe.
Hird said he'd "definitely" like to return this season, but was yet to speak to his interim replacement and former assistant Mark Thompson about it.
Essendon are enjoying a purple patch under Thompson, an impressive three-match winning streak starting amid the club's court stoush with ASADA.
Watson, speaking on the Seven Network, suggested Hird should let Thompson steer the ship until the Bombers' 2014 campaign ends.
"He can return to the club (this season), but not as a coach or on the coaching panel," Watson said.
"He can still be at the club every day - working on list management, planning for next year.
"The 2014 team has become Bomber's (Thompson's) team.
"The team deserves to see it through together without the possibility, and probability, of more distractions."
Injured forward Joe Daniher, also speaking on Seven, said it was up to the powers that be to decide whether Hird returned to coaching this year.
"For us players, it'll be good to catch up with him," Daniher added.
The Bombers sit seventh on the ladder, and have the weekend off before facing the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Friday week.
