ESSENDON has sacked Mark Neeld, despite the club saying he had tendered his resignation on Monday.

Foxfooty.com.au understands the dynamics among the coaching panel had become unsustainable this year, which filtered down to the players.

Although it is too harsh to say Neeld, who was sacked as senior coach of Melbourne after two years in 2013, had lost the playing group, there is no doubt there were elements of frustration from players towards the coaching structure and roles.

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It’s believed that aside from John Worsfold, Rob Harding (game intelligence and opposition strategy coach) and Neeld, no assistants were permitted to discuss specific strategy and tactics with the senior coach or players.

This extended to game day in the coaches’ box, with almost every suggestion regarding a heavily criticised game plan funnelled through Neeld.

This alienated other assistants Mark Harvey, James Kelly, Paul Corrigan and Hayden Skipworth.

On several occasions, at least one of the assistants who was not allowed to discuss strategy or tactics, had to discreetly tell the runner messages behind Worsfold and Neeld’s backs in order to get their message out there.

Ultimately, the structure didn’t work and Neeld was moved on — the scapegoat in a system that had broken down.

The Bombers do not have plans to fill the now-departed Neeld’s role.

Foxfooty.com.au understands the playing group had become aware of coaching group disharmony since the beginning of the 2018 season.

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Essendon coach John Worsfold and assistant Mark Neeld. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Dan Richardson played a large role in the decision, just as he did at Richmond when the Tigers did not renew several assistant coach contracts at the end of 2016.

In that clean-out, Richardson oversaw the axing of Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams, backline coach Ross Smith and forwards coach Greg Mellor.

The decision to move on game performance coach Neeld is seen as a circuit-breaker at Essendon, although it remains to be seen whether his departure will pay dividends on the field.

The club is expected to re-shuffle it’s coaching structure at the end of the season, with Neeld the first domino to fall after his position was made redundant on Monday.

In a statement, Neeld said he felt the time was right to move on after holding discussions with the club, which included a potential restructuring of the coaching group.

“I feel this decision is in the best interests of the club, and for myself and my family.

Before joining Essendon, Neeld coached Melbourne for just 33 games before he was sacked halfway through the 2013 season. He also spent a season as the Eastern Ranges’ talent manager in the TAC Cup.

Essendon football manager Dan Richardson said Neeld had been “an extremely professional and hardworking member” of the club’s coaching panel.

“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.”

— with Ben Waterworth