Footy legend James Hird opens up about shock career move that was rumoured to have played a role in his marriage split

Essendon great James Hird has opened up about his surprise move back into coaching - a decision that is rumoured to have played a part in the breakdown of his marriage.

The AFL Hall of Famer and his wife Tania quietly separated over a year ago, ending a 27-year marriage that began in 1997 and spanned both triumph and turmoil at Essendon.

The former couple's high-profile standing made their ability to keep the split a secret for so long all the more surprising.

Hird, now 52, moved out of their Toorak family home, choosing to focus on his mental health and career away from the public eye.

A source with ties to the family said there were tensions between the couple over Hird's interest in taking a coaching position with Port Melbourne.

Hird has been involved with the iconic Victorian club since his son Tom joined the Borough in 2023, and is now the director of coaching under Brendan McCartney.

McCartney was one of Hird's assistants at Essendon in 2011 and the pair have a great working relationship.

Some have speculated that he took the job as a step to once again reclaiming the Essendon coaching position, but Hird insists he just wants to help the club.

'It's not (about Essendon),' he told News Corp.

'It's to help out Port. They've been good to Tom and I felt like I could make a difference here. To do something with your son is very special. 

'This is a journey in itself, being part of Port Melbourne Football Club and trying to create a good football program where we can have some success and teach and help players learn. That's the sole purpose of doing it.'

Hird says he's not thinking about coaching in the AFL. 

'My focus is working with the boys here,' he said.

'What are we, four wins, one draw and five losses? We've got a lot of work to do to make the most of this year and then how we set ourselves up for next year.'

He says the role is rewarding and he's been surprised by how much fun he is having.

'I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I am,' he says.

'You realise why you love footy when you're in and around a group of young guys, young people who want to get better, and a group of coaches who also want to get better.

'Everyone says coaching is a stressful job. And it is. But it's also … when you're doing it, you're teaching people how to play and helping them get better … so it's a very rewarding job as well.'

Hird's illustrious playing career, which began with Essendon at pick 79 in the 1990 National Draft, reached its peak in 1996 when he shared the Brownlow Medal with Michael Voss.

He later claimed the Norm Smith Medal in 2000 and helped deliver a premiership to the Bombers in the same year.

His remarkable achievements, including five Best and Fairest medals, secured him a place in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Off-field, a succession of legal disputes and the devastating supplements saga tested his resilience to the limit.