Essendon coach news: Brad Scott won’t rule out return to coaching, Ben Rutten lands new job

Brad Scott has said the fire will always burn when it comes to coaching AFL, so will he consider the vacant role at Essendon? Meanwhile, Ben Rutten has landed a new gig.

Brad Scott is considered a contender for the Essendon coaching job.

Brad Scott has refused to rule out a return one day to coaching, saying the job will always interest him.

Scott, 46, has been linked to the vacant Essendon coaching gig but has not formally engaged in the interview process.

Adem Yze, James Hird, Dean Solomon and Brendon Lade have all been interviewed to replace Ben Rutten.

Rutten on Friday accepted an assistant coaching role at Richmond.

Speaking at a North Melbourne function on Friday, Scott said he would not be drawn specifically on the Bombers, but conceded the coaching fire will always burn.

“The only truthful answer that I can give you is there is always going to be a coaching itch … always. I don’t think that will ever go,” Scott said.

“The choice is do you choose to scratch that itch? That is not something I have contemplated to this point.”

Scott, who led North Melbourne to two preliminary finals over a 10-year reign as coach, has taken over from Steve Hocking as the AFL football operations boss.

“I love the role at the AFL. I see the really important role,” Scott said.

“The game has given me so much, this role is partly giving a bit back to the game.”

Rutten has returned to Richmond just week after being sacked by the Bombers following their Round 23 game.

Would Brad Scott and the Bombers be a good pairing?

He was a highly-rated assistant coach at Richmond from 2015 to 2018, playing a significant role in the Tigers’ drought-breaking 2017 premiership.

“Richmond is a great Club, and I am still very familiar with a majority of the playing list and staff which makes me excited about 2023 already,” he said.

“I am looking forward to this fresh opportunity and the challenge of helping the Club return to the top of the ladder.”

Rutten joins former Carlton coach David Teague as a part of the Tigers’ coaching panel.

Richmond general manager of football performance Tim Livingstone said the Tigers were thrilled to have Rutten back at the club.

“Ben is a terrific coach that is highly respected by many of our players that have already worked with him,” he said.

“We look forward to bringing his expertise back into our Club and are excited about the benefit it will bring to our playing group and broader football department.”

“We are all thrilled to have Ben along with his wife Kylie and boys Jack and Bernie back as part of the Richmond Football Club.”