Infotainment Factory: Week from hell leaves Bombers coach in tears

An emotional Ben Rutten wiped tears from his eyes in the Essendon dressing rooms knowing his time as coach for the Bombers could be coming to an end.

As steam gathers for James Hird's return, It's understood Rutten will be given his marching orders as Bombers' coach as early as Sunday as their 2022 season came to a disappointing end on Saturday night against Richmond.

Rutten was seen embracing his family in the sheds after the game, while wiping away tears as he spoke to various club officials.

Speaking after the match, Rutten admitted the last couple of weeks could have been handled better.

"It's been disappointing. I probably think I deserve better," he said.

"I think that's something we need to as a club just come together as a whole football club and we need to stick to a plan, put our heads down, bum up and do the work.

"There's no other way for this football club to get back to where it wants to be.

"I love coaching this footy club. I love coaching the players. I've got so much belief in the playing group, I've got so much belief in my staff and the people that are supporting me.

"What I saw this week has only given me more confidence in what I'm doing.

"I'm committed to coaching this footy club. That's my job, that's what I signed up for," he added.

"I didn't put my hand up to coach this club because I thought it would be easy.

"I thought I could make a difference. I signed up and I committed to give my services to the Essendon football club and its supporters, the members, and the players.

"That's what I want to do. I want to see it through and I know I can make a difference, and I know I can take us to where we want to get to."

Rutten's future as coach has been in the headlines all week since Essendon made a last-minute ditch to lure four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson to the Bombers. But Clarkson joined North Melbourne, leaving Rutten in an awkward position.

Speaking after the match, skipper Dyson Heppell said the past week had been draining for the club.

"Things you don't expect to rock up and have to deal with on a day to day and it's taken its toll on (Rutten) and the playing group," he told Channel 7.

"I really feel for him, I back him to the wall, the playing group are right behind him, we'll see where it goes from here.

"We know the love, care and support that he has for this playing group, the vision that he has going forwards so I think it's important that we stand up for him."

Speaking pre-game, Former Essendon great Jobe Watson criticised the Essendon for its continual "dysfunction".

Essendon president explains Clarkson chase

"They consistently don't know what they are doing and they are consistently getting it wrong," he said.

"They are a dysfunctional place.

"I can't see (Rutten) coaching next year.

"They are looking for this magical answer that doesn't exist.

"I think you absorb an enormous amount and (Rutten) has done so and it builds up and it builds up. It's not surprising it's quite overwhelming for him (post-match).

"You can see that connection he has with the people at the football club."

Essendon will hold an emergency board meeting on Sunday to discuss Rutten's future.

Before Saturday's game, David Barham, who replaced predecessor Paul Brasher this week, told a president's function Essendon needed to "reset and rebuild" to bring success back to the club.

"For me, this is urgent and it requires us to be bold, decisive and courageous," Barham said.

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