Essendon legend James Hird firmly believes the Bombers’ coaching search is not a “boat race”, adamant the club will run a “legitimate process” despite reports focusing on president Andrew Welsh’s connections to potential candidates.

The Bombers during their bye week are sharpening their hunt to find their next senior coach following Brad Scott’s sacking last month.

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After early speculation that Hird, a former teammate of Welsh’s, was the frontrunner for the role – prompting at least four possible candidates to publicly air their hesitancy about applying – a report last week suggested interim coach Dean Solomon was Welsh’s preferred option.

The latter report left triple premiership Bomber Tim Watson alarmed.

“I’d be horrified if they did this,” Watson told SEN Breakfast on Tuesday.

“I would be absolutely horrified that my club would do that and not go out there and run a proper process to find out the best candidate.

Solomon: “Focus is on these players” | 09:25

“You’ve got to go out there and find out whether or not the person you are going to appoint is the best candidate and is the best person.”

Watson also suggested Welsh shouldn’t be part of the selection process, adding a separate committee “at arm’s length” should instead be established.

Speaking on Footy Classified on Tuesday night, Hird reiterated his desire to return to the Essendon coaching chair – 11 years after he was sacked in the wake of the infamous supplements saga – and remained adamant the club would run a thorough process.

“I don’t think it’s a boat race. There’ll be a legitimate process,” Hird told Channel 9 when asked about the Solomon-Welsh report.

“I haven’t spoken to the club, but everything I’m hearing is they are going to run a process.

Roberts open to Hird Bombers return | 00:55

“You hear different stories about ‘it’s Dean’, ‘it’s John Longmire’, it’s myself. But from what I understand, they’re going to run a proper process, they’re going through (what) the criteria should be around the coach and, as I said three weeks ago, I want to put up my hand and go through the process if that’s possible.

“I might look silly in hindsight, but I’m sitting here today and I believe there’ll be a comprehensive process that goes through all facets of different coaches – coaches who have been in and around (clubs), new coaches, coaches like myself and Dean Solomon – to have a red-hot crack at it, because I think that’s what the fans want and what the club deserves. I think that’s what the footy club will do.”

Hird last week was also pictured with ex-club president Paul Little and legendary Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy in inner Melbourne before heading to the MCG for Neale Daniher’s funeral. It was suggested “there’s got to be a little bit more to it” than three friends catching up, considering Sheedy has previously pushed for Hird’s return as Essendon coach and Little has reportedly been working behind the scenes to get Hird back to the club.

James Hird and Paul Little arrive ahead of the State Funeral for Neale Daniher. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Asked if he was leaning on Little and Sheedy’s support as part of his bid to be Essendon’s next coach, Hird said: “I wouldn’t say ‘leaning’. Paul and ‘Sheeds’ are very good friends of mine.

“We were invited to sit next to each other at Neale’s funeral and the ridiculous nature – the scuttlebutt – that we were ‘plotting to scheme’ on our way, that was silly. We were there to respect a great man.

“I lean on both of them for a lot of decisions in my life. Definitely when it comes to coaching and the sort of coach I would like to be, I’d lean on both of those people.”