Essendon in turmoil: Bombers’ president Paul Brasher stands down, club launches external review, set to chase Alastair Clarkson

Essendon announced another review, its president stood down and it declared coach Ben Rutten was safe. That could change very quickly as the spectre of Alastair Clarkson looms.

Essendon is expected to approach Alastair Clarkson in the coming days as turmoil gripped Tullamarine on Monday.

Bombers coach Ben Rutten’s job is hanging by a thread, after president Paul Brasher stood down and the club announced a full-scale external review.

If Clarkson wants to coach Essendon, Rutten will lose his position as soon as Tuesday.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE BOMBERS’ FULL STATEMENT

Clarkson is being courted by North Melbourne and GWS and the developments at Essendon on Monday caused ripples in the football world.

North Melbourne is understood to have given Clarkson a soft deadline of Wednesday to make a call on if his future is at Arden Street.

The Kangaroos have offered Clarkson a minimum contract of five years.

GWS has also interviewed Clarkson for its vacant coaching position, but are yet to formally make him an offer.

It's been a day of turmoil at Essendon.

Brasher has been replaced as president by former Channel 10 head of sport Dave Barham.

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The external review follows the Bombers internal review announced in May, which is understood to have determined Rutten would remain coach in 2023.

The past two performances by Essendon – losing to the Giants by 27-points and Port Adelaide by 84-points on Sunday – caused disenchantment among some board members.

A board meeting on Sunday was followed by a second meeting on Monday where it was confirmed Barham would replace Brasher.

A large media contingent, on Monday, greeted Essendon boss Xavier Campbell at The Hangar. Picture: Getty Images

Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell said the club would delve further into its failed season.

“I have not spoken to Alastair Clarkson,” Campbell said.

“We have had discussions with the board today and we will continue the discussions.

“A further analysis is to be made around what to do, obviously we met with the board a few weeks ago.”

New president Barham said in a statement the club’s second review in the space of three months was “a line in the sand moment”.

“We need to place a laser-like focus on our football performance above everything else,” Barham said.

“We need to build a platform, that will bring us sustainable success.

“The view of the Board is that we cannot continue to only review ourselves and hope that things will change. While the review was thorough and well done, the Board has determined that our club needs further external aspects added into our analysis.

“We need to accept where we are, look hard at what best practice in AFL football is, reset, and then begin our fight back to winning premierships.

“No one is underestimating the task at hand, but it must start sometime and today is the day.

“We are confident we can do this. The broader club is in excellent shape, has outstanding facilities and a hardworking and valued administration.

“To all Bomber fans, this is a line in the sand moment.

“We will need your continued support and help to do this, but I know we can count on you, as you have never let us down, ever.

“There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about our future. This work will mean we the board can be in the best position to make what are very important decisions about our future.”

Rutten safe for now, as board blood spills at Bombers

—Mark Robinson

Essendon senior coach Ben Rutten has not been sacked as the Bombers prepare to make changes to their board.

It’s understood president Paul Brasher will be replaced, with David Barham the leading contender.

Despite widespread reports Rutten had been sacked on Monday, and that the Bombers would pursue Alastair Clarkson, the Herald Sun can confirm Rutten will remain coach – for now.

It’s understood the Bombers are considering a secondary review to be completed by external consultants, where Rutten’s long term future could be on the agenda.

It’s believed there’s been division among the board since Brasher decided to go public and announce a club review into all football operations in May.

Paul Brasher (right) could depart Essendon today. Picture: Michael Klein

It’s understood chief executive Xavier Campbell didn’t want the public scrutiny associated with announcing a review.

Club officials are shaking their heads at the “debacle” unfolding at the Bombers.

Essendon’s season slumped further after a harrowing 84-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.

After announcing a record number of members during the week, Rutten apologised to Essendon fans and members.

“Were bitterly disappointed,” Rutten said.

“It was the sort of game that our members and supporters who came to the game or were watching on TV … it’s not the sort of thing they should have to watch.

“It was an embarrassing effort from our guys. It’s not something we want to stand for and not something our members and supporters should have to watch at any stage.”