“Mark has been an extremely professional and hardworking member of the club’s coaching panel, and he has made this decision in the best interests of the club,” Richardson said. “This was a decision Mark has been reflecting on for some weeks, and following discussions regarding the potential restructure of the coaching department, Mark felt it was the right time to step aside and explore a new chapter in his career. “We thank Mark for his service and dedication, and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.” Having departed Melbourne midway through the 2013 season after a horror one and a half seasons at the helm, Neeld joined the Bombers as a development coach at the end of 2014. He and several other assistants had come under increasing pressure after Essendon's poor start to the season, with their most recent blow coming via a 13-point loss to Carlton at the MCG on Saturday. Senior coach John Worsfold signed a two-year contract extension earlier this year, tying him to the club until the end of 2020.

Whether Worsfold should have been re-signed has been questioned by several football identities including premiership coach Robert Walls and the outspoken Kane Cornes. The Dons said they would try to use Neeld's departure – revealed online by The Age on Monday afternoon – to make their football department run more efficiently. “This is an opportunity for John and the performance coaches to create greater clarity and alignment in the brand of football we want to play,” Richardson said. “We also believe this is an opportunity for our coaches to develop, be more empowered in their roles, and have greater input into the strategic direction of the team.

“Our coaching group is well resourced and experienced, and we do not believe this decision will have a detrimental impact on the coaching panel or the team’s performance moving forward.” Neeld, 46, played 74 games for Geelong and Richmond in the 1990s before entering coaching, making a name for himself at Collingwood under Mick Malthouse. In a statement released by the Bombers, he said the time was right for a change. “After discussions with the club, including the potential restructure of the coaching group, I felt now was the right time to move on,” Neeld said. “I feel this decision is in the best interests of the club, and for myself and my family.