Essendon great and ex-Bombers coach James Hird has reportedly turned down the opportunity to coach VFL club Port Melbourne.
Hird was revealed as a person of interest to the Borough last month after coach Adam Skrobalak confirmed he would leave his post at the end of the current season.
Skrobalak took over from legendary coach Gary Ayres in 2022, with Port Melbourne managing five wins from 20 games so far this year.
In search of a new coach who can lead a list littered with ex-AFL talent, which includes Hird's son Tom, the 1996 Brownlow Medal winner is said to have knocked back the chance to succeed Skrobalak at North Port Oval.
According toย The Age,ย Hird has turned down the opportunity given his current commitments to his role as managing director of Euree Asset Management.
The publication reports Port Melbourne assessed avenues that would potentially allow Hird to hold both roles, with the concept seen to be too difficult.
Hird last coached in 2015, with his tenure at Essendon ending at 85 games following the club's infamous supplements saga, with Hird resigning from the role in his returning season from a year-long suspension.
However, it was revealed byย Channel 9's Tom Morris that the Essendon champion "will have an official role at Port Melbourne" in 2025.
And arguably bigger news, it looks as if @essendonfc great James Hird will have an official role at Port Melbourne FC next year after all!
Heโs very close to McCartney. Hird set to take on a director of footy/coaching role. @FootyonNine @9NewsMelb https://t.co/0V1u89mBjO
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) August 18, 2024
Former Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney is the new boss at the Borough and Morris reported that their close relationship has helped bridged a reunion at the VFL club.
Hird will take on a director of football role.
The 51-year-old was strongly considered for the club's most recent senior coaching vacancy in 2022, which was won by current coach Brad Scott.
Hird held an assistant role with GWS that year, stepping into a part-time position under caretaker coach and ex-teammate Mark McVeigh.
Port Melbourne's list boasts a plethora of former top flight footballers, with Daniel McKenzie, Fraser Rosman, Roarke Smith, Tobe Watson, Kye Turner, Matt Signorello, Lachlan Rankin, Sam Philp, Robbie McComb, Billy Gowers, Tom Highmore and the aforementioned Tom Hird all listed at the Borough this year.
The standalone club has one game remaining in its 2024 campaign, with a match against the Northern Bullants scheduled for Saturday, August 17 at ETU Stadium.