AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan believes his colleague Brad Scott is on a “different journey” to one which would see him return to coaching.
Scott is one of the more experienced names still left on Essendon’s list in its search for a new coach after being turned down by multiple candidates. The former North Melbourne coach is currently the AFL’s GM of football after assuming that role earlier this year, but has been linked to the vacant Bombers job.
Sportsday’s Sam McClure reported earlier this month that Scott was out of the process, while The Age’s Caroline Wilson believes Scott could be enticed to the Bombers.
When asked if Scott was a chance to go to Essendon on SEN’s Whateley, McLachlan said: “Brad is a star I think, and he was a great coach so I think Essendon, I’m sure they’d want to talk to Brad.
“I also think Brad is going down a different journey and he’s doing a very good job with what he’s doing, they’re just different paths… he’s running football for our game and he is every day improving as a general manager and learning all the broader skills, no one knows more about footy than Brad.
“At some point, he’ll have to decide whether the day-to-day brutality of coaching is where he wants to go, or whether he wants a life of a general manager which gives different options… frankly, he could be a chief executive of a club in time.”
As for how Scott would handle any potential negotiations with the Bombers, McLachlan said he’ll sit down with the 46-year-old after the season.
The departing AFL CEO suggested he would want to see Scott do what’s best for him.
“Of course I’ll talk to Brad, he’s got a job to do in the next week or so, I’ll talk to him at the right time and see where that goes,” he stated.
“I just feel that any of my guys, I know my team are being approached all the time and I feel I’ve got a relationship with all of them… we don’t operate that people get permission or whatever, I hope the relationship (is strong enough) that they come and have a chat and say what’s on offer and is it good for you. People have got one life to live and they need to do what makes them happy and what’s developing them.”
Essendon is understood to have held discussions with James Hird, Adem Yze, Daniel Giansiracusa, Dean Solomon and Brendon Lade about becoming the club's next coach.