Essendon legend James Hird splits from wife Tania after 27 years of marriage

High-profile couple James Hird and wife Tania have separated after 27 years of marriage, with the ex-Bombers coach moving out of the Toorak family home.

Footy legend James Hird and wife Tania have separated after 27-years of marriage.

The Hirds, who married in October 1997 and share four children, are believed to be on amicable terms but neither wished to comment on the split.

Mr Hird has moved out of the family’s Toorak home.

The Herald Sun understands the couple parted ways more than a year ago but have kept news of their separation a closely-guarded secret.

James and Tania Hird reportedly split over a year ago. Picture: Michael Klein

The Hirds, who share four children, are believed to be on amicable terms. Picture: supplied

Tania has a successful accessories and design business while the Essendon great, who has managed an investment fund for the past two years, will return to the footy world this year.

He is taking up a role on Channel 9’s Footy Classified and he’ll also replace Leigh Matthews on Sunday nights on Footy Furnace.

The former Bombers captain and coach is also helping out in a coaching role at Port Melbourne.

“I missed the game,” Mr Hird said in November.

“The game is a great game but certainly I have not missed the publicity. The time feels right.”

The high-profile pair enjoyed a 27-year long marriage. Picture: Supplied

Footy’s former glamour couple James Hird and wife Tania married in October 1997. Picture: supplied

Hird played 253 games between 1992-2007 and coached the club from 2011-2013 to the time when the supplements saga blew up.

He’s a dual premiership player and captained in 2000, and won the Brownlow Medal in 1996. Hird is also a five time all-Australian and five time Bombers best and fairest winner and a member of the Australian football Hall of Fame.