Hird 'disappointed' as former Bomber moves into 'box seat' position

James Hird has spoken for the first time since reports emerged that fellow contender Mark McVeigh is in the box seat to take the vacant head coach role at Essendon.

After parting ways with Brad Scott in May, it’s been a long 91 days for the Bombers, who embarked on a lengthy search for their next coach.

But with their season now concluded, the club appears set to announce their appointment in the not-so-distant future.

On Sunday night, AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey reported that Sydney assistant and former Bomber, McVeigh, will meet with the club’s board on Monday in Melbourne, with an announcement likely for the following day.

This sees the 232-game player beat the likes of Adelaide’s Murray Davis, Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham and Hird to the position.

Speaking after Twomey’s report, the Essendon legend congratulated his former teammate and great friend on the news.

“Firstly, congratulations to Mark,” Hird told Footy on Nine’s Footy Furnace.

“(He’s) a great friend of mine and very proud of him that he’s going to be named the coach.

“So good on him.”

But the 1996 Brownlow Medallist did concede some disappointment in not getting the role.

“From a personal point of view though, it's very disappointing,” he continued.

“Yeah, I'm disappointed, put my heart and soul into the effort, but obviously fell short and that's the way it goes.”

Hird’s focus now turns towards his job as Director of Coaching at VFL side Port Melbourne as they gear up for their first finals series in seven years.

But he acknowledged that he would weigh up his options at season’s end after being contacted by other clubs during the process.

“Yeah, I think so,” Hird said.

“Obviously we're down at Port Melbourne at the moment, and we've got a final series to play.

“We'll see what plays out at the end of the year with some other clubs that have been contacting me and see what happens.”

The Borough, who finished sixth, are scheduled to play the Sydney Swans’ VFL side in an elimination final.