Essendon senior coach Ben Rutten has stated recent reports linking former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson to Tullamarine aren't a distraction to his current campaign.
Rutten, who is currently contracted to the Bombers until the end of 2023, has had to face speculation around his position at the helm of the Hangar throughout this year as Essendon continue to tussle with a disappointing season.
The former Adelaide defender has managed to double his side's wins total in the past three weeks however, claiming the scalps of St Kilda and Sydney in suprising upsets.
The pair of triumphs have Essendon placed with a 4-11 record heading into Round 17, with the proud Victorian club still stuck to the third-lowest rung on the ladder.
The downfall from the club's impressive opening campaign under Rutten last year has placed Essendon in the frame as a potential runner to land coaching free agent Clarkson, withย 7 News recently reporting that feelings between Essendon and the four-time premiership mastermind may be mutual.
Alastair Clarkson's determined comeback to the coaching world has hit a hurdle with Gold Coast sticking by Stuart Dew. The four-time premiership coach has now turned his attention to a big Victorian club, as David Noble calls for calm at the Kangaroos. @TomBrowne7 @7AFL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/BV16XF0XMG
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) July 6, 2022
It's understood that Clarkson is only on the Bombers' radar in the case that their partnership with Rutten was to somehow go sour.
Clarkson has been previously linked to positions at the Gold Coast Suns and St Kilda, two clubs that have confirmed new deals this week for Stuart Dew and Brett Ratten respectively.
With Port Adelaide also backing in Ken Hinkley to see out his contract at Alberton, the Giants' list of potential candidates to fill their vacancy has shrunken while Clarkson remains a top priority.
But despite the position at GWS currently calling, Clarkson's name has remained linked to Essendon, a concept Rutten isn't fazed by.
โItโs not distracting at all, for me,โ Rutten said of the reports linking Clarkson to Essendon.
โIโm really clear on my job, where weโre at as a club, the progress weโre making and the plan weโve got in place about us building to a successful club.
looks on during the round 14 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Sydney Cricket Ground on June 21, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
โThatโs where Iโm spending my time and focus.โ
Rutten has recorded a win rate of just 37.84 per cent since taking over from John Worsfold ahead of last season. While Essendon have recently announced a review of their football department, Rutten's position is unlikely to be a main focus in the club-wide dive.
Should the Bombers' new-found form continue through the final stretch of this season, Rutten will almost certainly remain in the hot seat for next season in what will shape as a critical campaign and the final year of his current deal.
Essendon and Rutten will be looking to make it three wins in four rounds this Sunday when they face an undermanned Brisbane outfit at the Gabba on Sunday at 1:10pm (AEST).
