ESSENDON has decided to stick with coach James Hird until it gains "further clarity" on his Federal Court appeal.
The club released a statement on Monday confirming Hird would remain coach for now, saying the board had chosen to retain its "existing football structure in the immediate term".
It was widely expected that Hird would be removed as Bombers coach last Thursday after an Essendon board meeting, having opted to continue his legal fight with ASADA despite the club deciding not to appeal the Federal Court's ruling.
However, Hird survived then and has again this week after chairman Paul Little said the complex matters involving Hird's legal fight and the expected re-issuing of show-cause notices by ASADA needed to be resolved before any decisions were made.
"As such, the board believes it would be potentially reckless to make any decisions of significance until there is further clarity on these crucial matters," Little said in a statement.
"The board recognises the rights of James to pursue his appeal of the recent Federal Court decision.
"James remains senior coach of the Essendon Football Club and will work closely with other members of the football department during this particularly important trade and planning period in preparation for the 2015 season."
Essendon said it would continue to monitor developments, adding it hoped ASADA's process could be resolved by the end of the year for the 34 current and former Bombers who have been handed show-cause notices.
"The board understands the uncertainty ongoing media speculation creates for our members and supporters," he said.
"We recognise there are many different opinions on these matters and reaffirm the board is committed to acting in the best interests of the club and its members."
Further doubt was cast on Hird's future at the club last week, when stand-in coach Mark Thompson suggested he was not prepared to take a backseat role.
Thompson, who coached the Bombers in 2014 while Hird served a 12-month suspension for his part in the supplements program, is overseas, but made it clear at the club's best-and-fairest award last week that he wanted to continue as coach.
Thompson is also in the running to replace sacked Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna.
