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Ben Rutten has been sacked as Essendon coach.
After a week of immense off-field turmoil and a failed 11th-hour bid for Alastair Clarkson, the club on Sunday confirmed that the 66-point loss to Richmond on Saturday night was Rutten’s last game in charge of the club.
As flagged by new Bombers president David Barham on Friday, the club’s board met on Sunday to determine Rutten’s fate — and it was decided his contract would be terminated, with Barham then informing Rutten of the call.
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It means Rutten departs the Bombers just two years into the post-John Worsfold handover and despite leading the club to a shock finals appearance. He finished with 17 wins from 44 games across his two seasons in charge.
Barham and chief executive Xavier Campbell will address the media at around 2.45pm (AEST) at the Hangar on Sunday afternoon.
Rutten said in his post-match press conference on Saturday night he thought he “deserved better” after being publicly undermined by the club.
Barham acknowledged the “incredibly tough time” Rutten and his family had endured over the past week, but said the lack of competitiveness shown by the team throughout the 2022 season — the Bombers finished 15th with a 7-15 record and a percentage of 83.2 — had “compelled” the board to act.
“Ben’s commitment and care for this playing group was second to none, and we thank him for his dedication to what we recognise is an all-consuming role as senior coach,” Barham said.
“The unfortunate reality is, at various stages this season; we have simply been uncompetitive. And while we acknowledge that we have an emerging playing list, we were compelled to make the decision.
“Our members and supporters do, and should, expect better from a proud football club. We appreciate this has been a difficult chapter for our Club. But as I said in my President’s address pre-game yesterday, we will be a bold and courageous football club again. We need to return to being a successful football club.
“We will thoroughly and diligently consider our next steps and in due course, will communicate the process of our next senior coach appointment.”
MORE TO COME
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