Hird and the Bombers held a press conference at Essendon's Tullamarine headquarters on Tuesday afternoon in which the Essendon champion announced that he and the board had agreed that it would be in the club's best interests for him to resign as the head coach.
Hird revealed that his decision to tender his resignation was made on Monday night, following a conversation between he and the board that concluded Hird's presence at the Bombers was poisonous for the club.
Hird stressed that his decision was not made for him, and that he had the welfare of the players and the club at the forefront of his decision.
“Essendon had always been in my heart since the day I was born,” Hird said during the press conference.
“Four weeks ago at a dinner with Xavier, he discussed how the football review will be conducted.
“It was the board's opinion that the football club would never be free of the ASADA scandals while Paul and I were here.
“I’ve always cared deeply about the players. I truly thank you with all my heart.”
Hird stressed that he felt the Essendon playing group deserved space now that he had moved on.
“By making the decision to stand down I do hope the AFL Industry will give the players the chance to play freely.”
Hird also offered thanks for those who had stood beside him throughout his tumultuous time at Essendon.
“To all the supporters, thank you for the love and care that you have given... You are special people.
“To the individuals who have believed in me, fought for the truth and justice, I thank you.
“I will never forget the people who stood up when most disappeared.”
“I want to wish the Essendon Football Club and all its supporters the best for the future.”
Club chairman Paul Little also offered some words on behalf of the Club for Hird at the press conference.
“James offered to step down if the board believed that this was the best decision,” Little said.
“To his credit, James recognises his performance is measured by performance of football team.
“As such James tendered his resignation and the board unanimously decided to accept that resignation.
“This outcome will provide the players and club with benefit of a fresh start and clean slate.”
Little was unequivocal in thanking Hird for his time at the club, both as a player and coach.
"I'd like to thank James for his love and dedication to the club. He is one of the strongest people I have ever met,” Little continued.
“He will forever be a champion of this club.
Although there were rumours of a final payout figure for Hird, the club confirmed that it would not be releasing this information to the public.
“The Board and James have agreed on a negotiated settlement, the terms of which will remain confidential,” Little continued.
“A process for selecting a new coach will be confirmed over the coming days.
“Matthew Egan will coach team for remainder of season in a caretaker capacity.
Little says he will stay on until he can see the club through then final stages of the review, then make an orderly transition to new boss
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) August 18, 2015
"We want to be a football club again. We don't want to be on every TV show every second day." - Hird. #FootyClassified
— Footy Classified (@FootyClassified) August 18, 2015
Hird: "Essendon had always been in my heart since I was young."
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) August 18, 2015
Hird: "By making the decision to stand down I do hope the AFL Industry will give the players the chance to play freely."
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) August 18, 2015
Hird: "I've always cared deeply about the players. I truly thank you with all my heart."
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) August 18, 2015
Hird: "To all the supporters thank you for the love and care that you have given my people. You are special people."
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) August 18, 2015
Matthew Egan will takeover as caretaker coach for the remainder of the year.
— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) August 18, 2015