AFL News 2022: Ben Ratten breaks silence on Essendon coaching saga Alastair Clarkson

With just one year left on his coaching contract, the 39-year-old has been under constant pressure since the Bombers started a tumultuous 2022 season with just two wins in the first 12 rounds.

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And on Friday, newly appointed Essendon chairman Paul Brasher confessed that the club tried to lure four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson in the 11th hour, saying he had to speak to the former. Hawthorne’s mentor.

But the bomber remained blushing. Clarkson signs five-year deal with North Melbourne With a deal reportedly worth $1.1 million per season.

Brasher told reporters, “If the best coach of the last 20 years is out there, I’d be waiving my duty not to talk to him.

“What would the members think of me if I didn’t go see him?

“Yes, this was ugly. The impact on Ben was horrific. I’m sorry but we have to do what’s best for the club.”

Barham confirmed that the Essendon board will make a decision on Rutten’s future on Sunday and apologized for not contacting the Bombers coach after reports Monday that he had resigned. admitted that it was a “mistake”.

“Players are disappointed that they weren’t consulted. I have to accept that,” he said.

Media speculation put Rutten in an untenable position. The former Adelaide fullback could be forced out of the role after being publicly undermined by his club.

inevitably, Essendon’s handling of Rutten widely condemned By the football community, however, the Underfire Bombers mentor remains dedicated to the club despite the ongoing off-field drama.

“I and my family have had tremendous support both externally and internally,” he told reporters.

“That’s great from my point of view.

“Basically, I promised the football club, its members, the supporters and the players that I would work as hard as I could.

“I’m not going to let them down now. Now is the time they need strong leadership and strong direction, and I need to provide it to them.

“I spoke to Dave and I think he said if he had time again he would do something different.

“We’ve been talking about it. Certainly by his admission, if he has time again, it doesn’t feel like he’s completely happy with the way things have gone through the week. shows.

“Things have been going fast this week and my focus has been on the players and getting them ready for the football game this week.

“I am the coach of this football club and have committed myself to serve the Essendon Football Club, its members, supporters and my players. If not me.

Asked why there was such a disconnect between himself and the Essendon board, Rutten said: “I’m not sure.”

“I have no doubt that the board, like us in the football sector, want us to be the most successful club we can be,” he continued.

“It’s really clear, and it’s clear from Dave’s intentions. He wants us to go back to being a fierce football club competing in the grand final.

“There are definitely some adjustments in that regard. I have.”

The football community showered Rutten with praise for his genteel response to the ugly coaching tale.

Earlier on Friday, Rutten’s manager Adam Ramanuskas was furious at the ongoing media speculation, claiming Essendon were not handling the situation well.

“I think it’s really disappointing. You have to look at the human side…the way he’s being treated is fundamentally not right,” he told RSN radio.

“Whether it’s Ben Rutten or another senior coach, you have to understand that there are only 18 of these jobs available in the country. It’s a very high pressure job. These individuals. How you handle is very important to your success in a football club.

“I think the way and the way it was handled was poor.

“It has to be clear communication and that comes from the senior leadership of the football club. Speaking openly.

“Three weeks ago they publicly said he was their coach.

“A lot of people will say, ‘Clubs have to be ruthless.’ That’s fine, but if you’re going down this path, communicate with people.” Have a clear plan.

“It’s safe to say that Monday and maybe half of Tuesday was a pretty difficult day because no one told him what was going on.

“He had read that he had been fired on Monday. There was no one to tell him otherwise. This is a very difficult situation for anyone.

“He was calling a lot of people, but there was not much response at that stage.

“That’s what I’m talking about – communication and how the club behaves – they have to line up.”

Essendon will face the Richmond Tigers at the MCG on Saturday night, with the first bounce scheduled for 7:25 PM AEST.

It could be Rutten’s last game as Bombers coach.