Essendon interim coach Dean Solomon has affirmed his commitment to remain with the club through the duration of his contract, regardless of whether he is appointed as the senior coach. Speaking after Essendon’s 14-point loss to North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, Solomon underscored his willingness to contribute in any capacity to help the team improve.

The Bombers’ defeat was marked by a concerning lack of defensive pressure, with eight players failing to record a tackle and only three managing one. Despite the margin, the result reflected deeper issues as Essendon struggled in the third quarter, taking 14 minutes to enter their forward 50, while North Melbourne dominated possession and scoring opportunities. Key Roos players Harry Sheezel and Caleb Daniel were particularly influential throughout the match.

Essendon officially initiated their search for a new senior coach last Friday by announcing a selection panel composed of five members from the club’s board and administration. Notably, the panel includes no individuals with coaching backgrounds and excludes football boss Dan McPherson.

Solomon, who became interim coach after Brad Scott's dismissal, has now experienced four losses in this role. He also previously served as interim coach of the Gold Coast Suns in 2017, accumulating three defeats. Despite recent setbacks, Solomon emphasized his enduring passion for coaching and his readiness to face the challenges ahead.

“I am contracted until next year, so whether I am filling water bottles at halftime, assistant coach, whatever, I’m here,” Solomon said. “I love this footy club... It’s been a tough period of time for a long time. But I want to be in here rolling my sleeves up helping this football club; whatever that role is, I will play my role within that.”

Initially, Solomon had planned to wait until the season’s end before discussing his future but acknowledged that conversations about his role are inevitable. He indicated his focus remains on the team’s immediate performance, with a decision on his position expected in the coming weeks.

As part of the coaching search, Essendon will also engage with club legend James Hird to gauge his interest in the senior coaching role. Meanwhile, former Bombers forward Mathew Lloyd has ruled himself out of contention, despite his success coaching at Haileybury College and his strong affiliation with the club.

Essendon’s coaching appointment process continues amid a challenging phase for the club, with the new senior coach expected to take on the task of reversing its recent fortunes.