Premiership Tigers defender and Essendon development coach Alex Rance has stepped away from his duties at Tullamarine to focus on his AFL education business.
Rance was appointed to a part-time coaching role with the Bombers for 2022, linking up with former mentor Ben Rutten at Essendon.
The 32-year-old also featured for the Bombers' VFL side last year in a one-off game against Southport in July.
Rance is now set to leave the Bombers after five months with the club, with his role set only for the pre-season, working one day per week.
"Alex has departed the club," an Essendon spokesperson told Zero Hanger.
"He was only contracted for the pre-season and was in at the club one day per week.
"Alex has decided to focus on his business and therefore, stepping away from his time at the club."
Rance is the founder of AFL training and educational program, The Academy, which aides the development of prospering football players in Geelong, Essendon and Wangaratta.
Rance was set to work with a talented young contingent at Essendon, with emerging players in Zach Reid and Nik Cox among those to experiment through key positions in their development.
After announcing his retirement in 2019, Rance ended his 200-game career at Punt Road with five All-Australian selections and a premiership medal.