Former AFL executive Simon Lethlean in mix for Essendon football manager role

AXED AFL executive Simon Lethlean is on Essendon’s radar as the club searches for a new football boss following Rob Kerr’s departure and the former AFL footy boss is high on the hit list.

Simon Lethlean is on Essendon’s radar. Picture: Getty

ESSENDON will sound out axed AFL executive Simon Lethlean to replace Rob Kerr as its football manager.

The Bombers are on the hunt for a new footy boss after Kerr resigned last month and officially completed his duties at the club last week.

Lethlean was favoured to be appointed chief executive at Carlton before the Blues opted to poach Cain Liddle from arch-rivals Richmond in a shock move.

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But he could make his way back into the AFL at Essendon, with chief executive Xavier Campbell confirming the club is interested.

The Bombers are yet to speak with Lethlean.

“He’s someone that would be on the radar for sure,” Campbell said.

“You’d be open to chatting with Simon, he’s a talented football person.

Simon Lethlean is on Essendon’s radar. Picture: Getty

“He’s got pretty significant football experience but for us we’re just literally starting the full piece of the process now so I’d like to think that will ramp up over the next couple of weeks leading into Christmas and hopefully get it to a point where we can feel comfortable to make a decision before Christmas.”

Lethlean lost his plum job at the AFL over an inappropriate relationship with an employee.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has endorsed his former footy boss for a senior club role.

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Essendon isn’t in a rush to make an appointment.

“We want to get a really good person to run our football program, it’s obviously a really important part of your business and we think we’re in a really exciting stage with our football program over the next few years,” Campbell told SEN.

“We’re only probably just starting the process. I don’t think we’re in a major rush to get it moving, we’ve got a really good foundation and Woosha is a really experienced football person who is well supported by guys like Matt O’Hanlon and Ashley Brown in our football program.

There is a buzz at Essendon, CEO Xavier Campbell says. Picture: Essendon FC

“I think we’ve got a really good football program in place but we’d hope to by Christmas add a really talented person to come in and add value to our football program.”

Meanwhile, Essendon’s first-to-fourth year players began preseason training last week and have been joined by a number of experienced players who have returned earlier than required.

Prized recruit Jake Stringer cut his US holiday short last month to begin training at his new club early, while experienced players have joined their younger teammates this week.

The full squad is not officially due back until next week.

“There’s an exciting vibe ... there’s a great feeling at the club with a lot of players in there (training) that aren’t scheduled to be in there yet,” Campbell said.

“There seems to be a lot more traffic (in for training) than there has been last year and in past years, which is always a good sign of the enthusiasm and intent of the playing group.”