James Hird 'excited' to be back at work at Essendon

James Hird has returned to work at Essendon, insisting he is happy with the backseat role he'll play for the remainder of the Bombers' 2014 campaign.

Hird returned to Windy Hill this morning after serving a 12-month suspension for his role in the club's 2012 supplements program, which remains under ASADA investigation. He confirmed he had been attending Essendon's recent matches, but said he would be playing no part in coaching the Bombers as they prepare for finals. "I'm concentrating on 2015 and there's a lot of work to do," he insisted, while praising caretaker coach Mark Thompson. Hird said securing Thompson's services beyond this season was a high priority for everyone at Essendon. "We'd all like Bomber to stay on. Particularly I'd like him to stay on," he said. "He's obviously a great coach, he's been terrific for the players this year and for the whole club this year. It's his decision, but we've had a few chats and we'll sit down over time. "It's not just his decision or my decision, it's also the club's decision … but everyone at Essendon would love him to stay." Asked if he and Thompson could operate as co-coaches in 2015, Hird said:"I think we'll look at everything for next year, but for the moment Bomber's the coach this year, I'm the coach next year and we'll go forward from that". Hird's return to the club follows almost a year in exile studying in France. He dismissed suggestions he was emotional, saying instead that he was just keen to get on with his job. "I wouldn’t say emotional, I'm just excited to come back to work and there's a lot of work to do so (I'm) looking forward to getting into it".Hird's return follows a dramatic fortnight in which Essendon waged war with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority in the Federal Court.The Bombers are challenging the legality of the joint ASADA-AFL investigation.

Hird's evidence in the three day trial was sensational, saying he was threatened and induced into accepting responsibility for the supplements program, and disagreed with the Bombers' decision to self report.

He said he was at odds with Essendon's decision to request both the AFL and ASADA investigate the club over doping allegations.

He told the Federal Court he did not believe the club had done anything wrong, but agreed to toe the club line.

A decision on Essendon's case isn't expected for weeks.