Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw will not seek to renew his contract for next season, instead the long-serving tactician will search for new career challenges.Shaw has been an assistant coach at Essendon for the past seven years, and was an integral part of the coaching panel which won the 2000 premiership, reached the 2001 grand final and played finals for six of the seven seasons.Shaw said the time was right for his career to take a different spin."It is time for me to make a break. I want to remain in sport but I need some different challenges to those I have dealt with for much of my time in football," Shaw said in a statement released by the club"Naturally Essendon Football Club will always be a big part of my life and I have made a lot of close friends here and I thank them for their support over the years. This is a career decision and about wanting to set up the next stage of my life."Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy praised the efforts of Shaw and said it had been a privilege to work with him."It has been great to work with someone that has such a terrific knowledge and understanding of the game – that has shone through in his preparation for each and every match we played," Sheedy said.Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said the club fully understood Shaw's decision and affirmed there are no bad feelings between the two parties in the wake of Shaw's imminent departure."We understand Robert's decision and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. He is about to complete a Masters Degree in Sports Management – studies he has conducted outside football. It was always going to lead to a change in career direction at some stage," Jackson said."He has been a loyal servant of this football club over a long period of time and played a key role in one of our most successful eras. On behalf of our staff, players, members and supporters I would like to thank him for all he has given this club. He is a life member and as such knows full well he is always welcome around the club."