AFL General Manager of Football Brad Scott has reportedly told the Bombers top brass he does not wish to take the helm in 2023 as the search continues for their new coach, however, The Age'sย Caroline Wilson believes that the former coach may not be out of the running yet.

Scott, who coached North Melbourne for just under a decade, was courted for the role by Essendon's head of football Josh Mahoney however declined the approach to continue his work at AFL house.

This is the second time this week that the Bombers have been rejected by a potential new coach, with former Dockers man Ross Lyon saying 'no' to taking up the mantle at The Hanger.

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Speaking on SEN'sย Sportsday, Sam McClure revealed that the Bombers' search for an experienced coach has indeed dried up due to Scott's rejection.

"Josh Mahoney contacted him on Sunday night and Ross said today that he took 90 minutes to decide, and it was no,โ€ McClure said.

โ€œMy understanding is Josh has had a similar situation with Brad Scott who has made his intentions clear that he wants to stay as head of football at the AFL.

โ€œWhen David Barham came out on August 28 and said, โ€˜We think an experienced coach would get the best out of our listโ€™, the first two names you thought of were Ross Lyon and Brad Scott, theyโ€™re both now out.โ€

However, McClure's Footy Classified co-panelist Caroline Wilson has contested his claims, believing that Scott's head may be turned again if the Bombers keep knocking on his door.

"I'm not convinced that Brad Scott is completely out of the running," Wilson said on Wednesday's Footy Classified.

"[McClure] say[s] he's been approached, I'm not sure what he said when he was approached but I would not be surprised if Essendon had another crack at Brad Scott.

"That would be my understanding."

Should the Bombers close the book on Scott, there are only a few names left in the industry that could fit their mould of a seasoned coach.

Former Giants coach Leon Cameron has been unemployed since the middle of season 2022, however, McClure has doubted whether or not he would be a good fit for Essendon considering the massive size of the club.

โ€œLeon Cameron is the obvious one, I think (he) has kids finishing high school in Sydney so heโ€™d probably prefer to stay there but he could be convinced," McClure said.

โ€œIs he a big enough name for Essendon to appoint? Thatโ€™s another question entirely."

Conversely, the likes of Melbourne assistant Adam Yze, Bombers defensive coach Daniel Giansiracusa and Giants part-time assistant as well as club legend James Hirdย are in the conversation.

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The latter of these is a name that has been thrown around over the last month, however Hird has remained tight-lipped about what his future looks like beyond 2022.

McClure has also stated that the club would ideally like to have a new coach nailed on before grand final day, indicating that the fortnight will be an extremely busy one for the Essendon top brass.

That being said, whoever is chosen to carry the baton for the Bombers in 2023 has certainly got a task on their hands, with the side coming off a bitterly disappointing 2022 only a year after making the top eight.

Club captain Dyson Heppell is being courted to move interstate and link up with Stuart Dew's Gold Coast side, meaning that the playing group will have to step up and find leaders as soon as possible in the event that the veteran departs.

However, with the club coming off a record year in terms of membership with just over 86,000 members and having a number of exciting youngsters within the playing group, there is certainly cause for some optimism amongst the Essendon faithful for a new chapter in their history