Ben Rutten has reportedly been stood down as Essendon coach with one year remaining on his contract.
The Bombers have endured a horror season coming off a finals appearance last year, slumping to 15th on the AFL ladder with seven wins in the opening 21 rounds.
And Rutten is set to suffer the consequences, with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell reporting that he has been moved on as Essendon coach and Daniel Giansiracusa will coach this weekend.
Earlier on Monday, Bombers president Paul Brasher stepped down from his position following the club’s embarrassing 84-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday evening.
Back in May, Brasher announced an internal review of the club with opinions split on whether it should have been an external review.
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Brasher told members the club was “examining every aspect of our football program”, with football director Sean Wellman overseeing the review.
“I think you’re going to see real improvement in the second half of the year,” he said at the time.
“We don’t want honorable losses. We’re happy about effort, but that is the baseline and we’re looking to improve upon that and not going to take to light about losing to good sides by narrow margins.”
But on Monday morning, several reports emerged Brasher had resigned after Essendon once again pushed for an independent review at a board meeting over the weekend.
David Barham will be the new Essendon president, according to several reports.
Channel 7 journalist Tom Browne suggested Brasher’s resignation could prompt a last-minute play for legendary coach Alastair Clarkson, who led the Hawthorn Hawks to four premiership titles.
Essendon recorded several unwanted milestones on Sunday, including Rutten’s biggest-ever defeat as coach, his most points granted as coach and Essendon’s second-biggest loss against the Power.
On Fox Footy’s coverage, a spectator was overheard screaming after the final siren: “This is f***ing embarrassing.”
Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Rutten slammed his side’s “embarrassing effort” after fans booed players from Marvel Stadium.
“Were bitterly disappointed,” he said.
“It was the sort of game that our members and supporters who came to the game or were watching on TV… it’s not the sort of thing they should have to watch.
“It was an embarrassing effort from our guys. It’s not something we want to stand for and not something our members and supporters should have to watch at any stage.”
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