Ben Rutten press convention, learn how to watch, Essendon coach, sacked, newest, Alastair Clarkson

Ben Rutten admits he “didn’t have any thought” on Monday that Essendon was pursuing Alastair Clarkson and insists he’ll wait till after this week’s recreation to decide on his teaching future.

Rutten fronted the media after president David Barham to deal with a frantic week through which the 39-year-old – contracted till the top of 2023 – was undermined publicly because the membership made an Eleventh-hour bid for Clarkson, which ultimately failed.

Addressing the media on Friday, Rutten mentioned he was saved at the hours of darkness by the membership earlier within the week when it approached the Clarkson camp.

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“I didn’t have any thought of what was happening (on Monday),” he admitted.

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Barham mentioned earlier the membership would seek the advice of with Rutten on Sunday earlier than making a name on his future.

Requested whether or not he needed to be the coach subsequent yr, Rutten reaffirmed his dedication to serving to the membership.

“I’m the coach of this footy membership and I made a dedication to serve the Essendon footy membership, the members, supporters and my gamers and I’m going to proceed to try this the perfect that I can till somebody tells me in any other case,” he mentioned.

Requested what he expects to happen on Sunday, Rutten replied: “I don’t know. I don’t have any expectations.”

Rutten admitted that Barham had apologised to him for not making contact with him earlier within the week to let him know the membership could be pursuing Clarkson.

“I’ve spoken to Dave (for the reason that Clarkson studies emerged) and I really feel like he mentioned that there’s issues if he had his time once more he would do them in another way and we have now had a dialog round that.”

“I don’t suppose he was solely happy with the way in which issues transpired all through the course of the week.

“I suppose what Dave mentioned to me was that if he had his time once more he would’ve completed issues barely completely different when it comes to communication,” he mentioned.

Rutten mentioned there was readability between each he and the board on the course of the membership and what wanted to alter.

“The board are wanting to love us within the footy division need us to be probably the most profitable footy membership we may be, that’s actually clear,” he mentioned.

“That’s actually clear from Dave’s intention, he needs this soccer membership to get again to being a fiercely aggressive soccer membership competing for grand finals. There’s completely been some alignment round that.

“I’ve been actually clear on what we’re doing on the soccer membership and with our soccer program and the consistency we have to construct for our gamers.”

Rutten mentioned there would have to be talks with the membership earlier than he decided on whether or not to educate subsequent season.

“Some issues we’re definitely going to want to work by (about his future),” Rutten mentioned.

“I’m the coach of the footy membership and I made a dedication to them however I’m not going to allow them to down now.

“There are some conversations we’re going to must have completely transferring ahead, however I’m not ready to make any calls on that (but).”

On his gamers, Rutten was stuffed with reward for his or her angle all through the dramatic week.

“I’ve simply been so pleased with the way in which the gamers have performed themselves all through the course of this week. It’s been firstclass,” he mentioned.

“The management, the honesty, the assist, the dedication to what we’re doing, that hasn’t waivered. As I mentioned earlier than, I feel the arrogance in this system we’re constructing has solely grown all through the course of this week.”

Talking earlier, Barham said he made no apologies for pursuing Clarkson, however admitted he ought to’ve spoken to Rutten earlier concerning the membership’s bid to land Clarkson.

“If the perfect coach previously 20 years is on the market, I might be derelict in my obligation to not go and speak to him,” he informed reporters.

“If I don’t go and see him what do you suppose the members would consider me.

“Sure this has been ugly and the fallout for Ben is horrible and I apologise for that.

“However I must do what’s greatest for the membership.

Barham additionally admitted gamers have been annoyed with the uncertainty across the membership.

“I’ve to stay with that,” he mentioned.

The Bombers will decide on Rutten’s future on Sunday.