Essendon president Paul Brasher has declared head coach Ben Rutten will not cop the boot in the club’s review of football operations, saying he will see out the remaining year of his contract.
Brasher also revealed the review would concentrate on improving support rather than axing key figures in the football department.
The Essendon boss had said in a video message on Monday that the Bombers, having slumped to a 2-9 win-loss record this season, would undergo a review led by football director Sean Wellman, as well as board members and club icons Kevin Sheedy and Simon Madden.
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“I’ve said I think Ben will be coaching for a long period of time. I think he will be a very successful coach. I’ve got complete confidence in him,” Brasher told The Age.
When pressed on Rutten’s job security, Brasher said he would “definitely not” be outed at the end of this season.
“No, no, no, definitely not,” said Brasher.
When asked if Rutten would coach Essendon in 2023, Brasher said: “Yep”.
Brasher also defended the decision to implement an internal review.
“We believe that we’ve got enough people internally with the right sort of objectivity and experience to be able to assess it,” Brasher said.
The Bombers returned to finals football in 2021 but are now reeling in 16th on the ladder.
The only teams Essendon has defeated this season – Hawthorn and Adelaide – are sitting in 13th and 15th respectively.
Essendon is scheduled for a bye this week, before taking on Carlton at the MCG in round 13.
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