Essendon sacks coach Brad Scott amid poor AFL season performance
Consensus Summary
Essendon Football Club sacked head coach Brad Scott on May 25–26, 2026, despite over a year remaining on his contract, citing a dismal season with just one win in 2026 and a bottom-ladder position. Scott’s tenure, spanning 80 games with 29 wins and 50 losses, saw a decline in results after an initial improvement in 2023. The board, led by president Andrew Welsh, emphasized the need for a 'fresh voice' to rebuild the team, with interim coach Dean Solomon expected to take charge for the remainder of the season. Scott’s dismissal follows a pattern of instability, as Essendon seeks its third senior coach in five seasons. Player dissatisfaction, including from former captain Zach Merrett and emerging star Nate Caddy, has also contributed to the club’s challenges, while speculation about James Hird’s potential return as coach has emerged among fans and former players.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Brad Scott was sacked as Essendon head coach on May 25–26, 2026, with over a year remaining on his contract (until 2027).
- Essendon has won just one AFL match in 2026 (against Melbourne in early April) and sits at the bottom of the ladder.
- Scott’s tenure includes 80 games as coach: 29 wins, 50 losses, and 1 draw.
- Dean Solomon is expected to take over as interim coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
- Essendon’s next game is against the West Coast Eagles in Perth on Sunday, May 26, 2026.
- Scott joined Essendon in 2023 and was previously coach of North Melbourne.
- Essendon’s board cited a lack of progress and need for a 'fresh voice' as reasons for Scott’s dismissal.
- Former Essendon captain Zach Merrett is reportedly frustrated and considering a trade at season’s end.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Scott was stood down as head coach after Essendon’s loss to Richmond last weekend (May 2026).
- Scott had reminded media that club leaders had previously supported a long-term rebuild strategy emphasizing the draft.
- Essendon president Andrew Welsh stated Scott was a 'resilient, stoic leader' who gave everything to the club.
- Tim Watson (club great) raised the possibility of James Hird returning as coach, citing strong fan support.
- Scott’s contract reportedly had over $800,000 remaining.
- Welsh and CEO Tim Roberts will hold a press conference at 12:45 PM on May 26, 2026, without Scott present.
- Scott’s exit makes Essendon the second team to remove a coach in 2026 (after Carlton sacked Michael Voss).
- Defender Jordan Ridley is also in a similar situation to Merrett, with concerns about emerging star Nate Caddy’s satisfaction.
- Essendon equaled their club-record losing streak of 17 games, including the final 13 matches of 2025.
- Scott replaced Ben Rutten at the end of the 2022 season and won 8 of the first 13 games in 2023 before results declined.
- Essendon’s 2024 season also suffered a similar fate, followed by a 'horrific injury toll' in 2025.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states Essendon’s only win was against Melbourne in early April, while ABC mentions one win in the past 24 matches without specifying the opponent.
- The Age reports Scott’s contract had over $800,000 remaining, but this exact figure is not mentioned in ABC or Guardian.
Source Articles
Breaking: Brad Scott sacked as Essendon coach
Essendon sacks head coach Brad Scott as the Bombers languish at the bottom of the AFL ladder.
Essendon part ways with Brad Scott, club great says Hird could return
The Bombers have won just one match in a year and slumped to the bottom of the ladder with Friday night’s loss to Richmond.
Brad Scott sacked as Essendon coach pays price for dismal start to AFL season
Scott leaves after run of just one win in 11 games in 2026 Dean Solomon looms as a potential interim boss at Bombers Essendon have sacked coach Brad Scott with over a year remaining on his contract. Scott, 50, pays the price for the Bombers’ dismal start to the AFL season, having won just one of their first 11 games. The final straw was seemingly Essendon’s ugly loss to Richmond on Friday night that anchored the Bombers to the bottom of the ladder. Continue reading...