Tim Watson says he would not be surprised if former Essendon coach James Hird one day makes a return to an AFL senior coaching hot seat.
Hird is currently mulling over an offer from Fremantle coach Ross Lyon to join the Dockers as an opposition analyst, and his former teammate has urged him to look at the role as an opportunity to find a path back into the game, believing there is a sense of unfinished business.
The 2000 premiership captain coached the Bombers from 2011-2013, before receiving a 12 month suspension from the AFL for his role in the Essendon doping saga.
He returned in 2015, but resigned when the club slumped to a 5-14 record. His tenure resulted in 41 wins, 43 losses and one draw.
“He’s been very ambitious throughout the course of his life. I would think that the way it all ended for him, I would think that he feels there’s unfinished business,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“The first way that he can get back into football would be maybe to tip his toe into the water with this, and that might lead into other opportunities.
“I wouldn’t rule it out that we will see him coach again in AFL footy.”
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon says there should not be any barriers put in place when it comes to allowing Hird to return to the game.
“I hope there’s no barrier,” he said.
“If he gets back into the system and continue to show his qualifications, and he has a major impact, I don’t think there should be a barrier for James Hird if he wants to coach again.”
