JAMES Hird has backed Mark Thompson to behis replacement as coach of Essendon for the next 12 months.
As he started his year-long AFL-imposedsanction for bringing the game into disrepute, Hird said he hoped his seniorassistant would be given the reins.
"We'd all like to see Mark Thompson doit," Hird said on Wednesday morning.
"He's the obvious choice but that willbe a decision for the club and for Mark."
Thompson is a former Essendon premiershipcaptain and dual Geelong premiership coach and has been Hird's mentor for thelast three years as well as his lead assistant.
Simon Goodwin will coach the Bombers intheir season finale against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, with theclub expected to name the 2014 coach shortly afterwards.
More on Essendon's supplement saga
Essendon chairman Paul Little said he hadhad already received three expressions of interest from outside the club for nextyear's coaching position.
Hird said he intended to return as coach in2015, although in the short-term he would be getting away for a holiday withhis family and working out how to spend the next 12 months.
Little has indicated that a two-yearcontract extension will be put to Hird when he returns to the club.
Hird said he would follow the Bombersclosely during his absence.
"I have been an Essendon supportersince I was born. It's part of my family and I don’t think I could ever stepaway from the Essendon Football Club. It's part of who I am and always will be.
"When you love the Essendon footy cluband its part of your heart, you never step away."
Hird also apologised to Essendon supportersfor what they had been through this year.
"To our supporters, I am dreadfullysorry you have had to go through this.
"Our football club is a great footballclub and it has been unfairly dealt with this year. We do own to those mistakesbut the way it has been treated has been unfair.
"But our supporters have been greatthrough that and they have stuck with us. We need their support, and theplayers need their support, more than ever," he said.
