Dual Geelong premiership coach Thompson officially started his duties as Essendon senior assistant coach at Windy Hill on Tuesday morning and said he was happy to join an exciting young group.
"I just want to help Hirdy, help the Essendon footy club," he said on essendonfc.com.au.
"It was sad to see it in the state it was. I am expecting a lot of improvement and we are very capable of doing it.
"I think it's a really good coaching group. There is some really good experience and there is some freshness out of the game. I think it will match any coaching panel in the country. I'm very excited about the people I am going to be working with."
Thompson did not elaborate on his departure from Geelong, instead talking up his future with the club he captained to the 1993 premiership.
"When I decided I wasn't going to be the coach of Geelong ... I knew Hirdy was appointed and I can give him a hand, give something back to the club and make sure that they improve," he said.
In his first public comments since he was appointed to the position last month, Thompson sent a message to Essendon supporters to reignite the passion that he said had been missing in recent seasons.
"I think you'll see an exciting brand of footy. We've got great people around the footy club and we are going to do our best to produce our best footy and win as many games as we can," he said.
"Come on board and support. Something we've lacked in the last couple of years is that real genuine Essendon support and we want that back."
Thompson will appear alongside senior coach James Hird and club CEO Ian Robson at a media conference at 2.30pm this afternoon.
