{"id":86405,"date":"2026-09-02T22:07:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T22:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/86405\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T22:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T22:07:10","slug":"james-hird-makes-call-on-whether-hell-pursue-north-melbourne-job-after-alastair-clarkson-sacked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/86405\/","title":{"rendered":"James Hird makes call on whether he’ll pursue North Melbourne job after Alastair Clarkson sacked"},"content":{"rendered":"

North Melbourne champions John Longmire and Adam Simpson have both responded after being linked to the Kangaroos job following the sacking of Alastair Clarkson<\/a>. And Essendon legend James Hird<\/a> has reportedly ruled out the possibility of pursuing the job.<\/p>\n

The Kangaroos shocked the AFL<\/a> world on Wednesday when they announced they’d sacked Clarkson with a year remaining on his contract. The four-time premiership-winning coach was under contract for 2027, but the Kangaroos bit the bullet and moved him on early.<\/p>\n

\"James<\/p>\n

James Hird reportedly won’t pursue the North Melbourne job after Alastair Clarkson was sacked. Image: Getty<\/p>\n

The two big names immediately linked to the vacant job are Longmire and Simpson considering they’re both former Kangaroos players and premiership-winning coaches. Some pointed out that Hird is also available after missing out on the Essendon job<\/a> to Mark McVeigh.<\/p>\n

\"Adam<\/p>\n

Adam Simpson and John Longmire both played for the Kangaroos. Image: North Melbourne Football Club<\/p>\n

But Xander McGuire of Channel 7 reported on Wednesday night that Hird won’t pursue the North Melbourne job. McGuire reported that Hird: “Will not have any involvement in the North Melbourne senior coaching process, however a big decision lies ahead for him in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n

“At least one club has reached out gauging interest in a coaching role\u2026 with Hird to make a call in the near future.”<\/p>\n

After being overlooked for the Bombers job, Hird revealed that a number of clubs had been in contact in regards to a coaching role. McVeigh and Essendon president Andrew Welsh have both stated they’d love to have Hird at the club – potentially in an assistant role.<\/p>\n

Longmire and Simpson respond after Clarkson sacked<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Longmire and Simpson have both refused to comment on whether they want the Kangaroos job. Speaking on AFL 360, Longmire said he would “let the dust settle” on Clarkson’s sacking, while Simpson said he “hadn’t given it a lot of thought.”<\/p>\n

Simpson said: “This is a little bit different because it’s North. But it’s just a bit early to talk about what we perceive as an opportunity, versus a mate who’s lost his job.<\/p>\n

“I don’t want to give any type of reaction right now, because I just don’t know. I’ve really set up life in a different way (and) I’m enjoying it. So, I just need to take a deep breath.”<\/p>\n

Longmire playing 200 games for North between 1998 and 1999, while Simpson played 306 games from 1995 to 2009. Longmire coached the Sydney Swans from 2011 to 2024, while Simpson was West Coast Eagles coach from 2014 to 2024. Both have won premierships as player and coach.<\/p>\n

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