Mark McVeigh (pictured) is keen to work alongside James Hird despite beating him in the Essendon coaching race. (Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)
Essendon's new coach Mark McVeigh and president Andrew Welsh are set to speak with James Hird about a role at the club.
Welsh said his two phone calls to Hird after McVeigh's announcement went unanswered on Monday night, while McVeigh said he spoke to his former captain on Tuesday morning.
It remains to be seen whether Hird will be interested in a different role outside of head coach. McVeigh is expected to put together his coaching staff in the coming months, while there are also several roles in Essendon's football department that need filling.
New Essendon coach Mark McVeigh says he will speak to James Hird about returning to the club in a different capacity after a second failed bid to be coach.
McVeigh was unveiled on Tuesday in a press conference that was also attended by a number of Essendon's current players.
Both he and club president Andrew Welsh indicated their desire to have Hird involved.
"I'd love to see James as a part of the club going forward. He's such a fantastic football person," Welsh said.
"I feel there's significant value James can bring, not just tokenistic, but real value to our club and our playing group.
"Certainly, part of my messaging was that Mark and I would want to catch up with him when the time is appropriate."
While Welsh said a pair of calls to Hird had gone unanswered on Monday night, McVeigh said he had shared a conversation with his former captain.
"I love James Hird, he's one of my best mates. It was difficult to go through the process against a good friend," he said.
McVeigh (right) called Hird (left) one of his "best mates" after beating him to the Essendon job. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)
"I don't fear those people [Hird's supporters], I actually embrace how they feel, and I understand it, to be fair.
"He's been a constant in my life since I was 17 years of age. We spoke this morning, and the way he spoke of how proud he was of this moment for me, it hasn't broken us, we're still together, but I understand and embrace the feelings of the people that love James Hird, because I do too."
