Exiled Essendon coach James Hird set to embark on four-month family holiday to France

JAMES Hird and his family will embark on a four-month trip to France tomorrow, which officially distances the exiled coach from Essendon.

Essendon coach James Hird. Picture: Rob Leeson

JAMES Hird and his family will embark on a four-month trip to France on Friday, which officially distances the exiled coach from Essendon.

As part of the strict parameters of his 12-month suspension, Hird cannot access information from the club, nor will he be able to communicate with officials about team-specific coaching details.

To monitor the team's performance, Hird will have to access game footage and statistics himself.

The probability is he will become an international member of the Bombers which would provide him with live streaming of all Essendon matches.

Tigers face selection headaches

Hodge- Hawks hungrier than ever

Every SuperCoach pre-season score

He could also access stats from various websites.

It's understood he plans to watch as many opposition teams as he can as he prepares to return to the coaches box in late August.

He will be able to speak to coach Mark Thompson, although not about coaching.

News_Rich_Media: Herald Sun AFL writer Mark Robinson appeared was irked by what he describes as a deliberate request to separate him from Essendon coach Mark "Bomber" Thompson on the AFL 360 panel.

Bombers chairman Paul Little recently said they would speak to the AFL about Hird's association with the club, but it's understood no formal approach was made.

Hird, who will spend a fortnight in Singapore before living in France, is attending an exclusive business school, INSEAD, near Paris. It is said to be one of the world's most elite business schools.

Hird's children will spend a term at French schools.

In a controversial settlement offer made secretly between the AFL, Essendon and intermediary, Australian Sports Commission chief John Wylie, Hird was offered international education.

Part of his fees are being paid by the Bombers.

Essendon spokesman Justin Rodski said yesterday the same rules applied to Hird as if he was still in Melbourne.

"It will no different to the communication he had here,'' Rodski said.

"If there was anything from a formal perspective we'd get AFL permission.

"He's allowed to watch games, which we imagine that's what he would be doing, but the club is not sending him anything.

"He can't coach or do any recruiting or anything like that, but he can watch games. He can analyse opposition (and do) all of those things off his own bat.''