Former Essendon player Scott Lucas will help choose the club's next coach after he was named on a three-man selection panel on Friday.
Lucas, Bombers CEO Ian Robson and general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton will put forward a recommendation to the club's board for the new coach following the sacking of Matthew Knights last week.
"Scott Lucas is a premiership player, a club best and fairest, and is very highly regarded for his football knowledge," Hamilton said.
"We're delighted that he has accepted our invitation to participate in this process."
"Our task as a panel will be to make an assessment on the person we believe is best equipped to take the club forward to achieve on-field success."
Hamilton said there were a number of factors that would be considered during the appointment process.
"We're entering into this process with open minds, but the new coach will need to understand where Essendon is at as a club and where we want to go," Hamilton said.
"They will have a plan to continue the development of the playing group - building on the foundations established over the past three years by Matthew Knights."
"They will be an outstanding ambassador for the Club off the field and will be a coach that all Essendon people will be proud of."
The deicision on a new coach might not be for a number of weeks with Hamilton saying the club won't be rushed into a decision.
"We want to get the best person for the job, so the process could take a number of weeks," he said.
"The club will make a formal announcement about the new coach once the process is completed. In the meantime we will not be engaging in any speculation or discussion about possible candidates."