Kevin Sheedy hopes James Hird returns to coaching in the future, believing "the hardest apprenticeship ever" would steel Hird to be better for the role second time around.

Hird resigned as Bombers coach last week, having agreed with the Essendon board that the club could not move forward and be given breathing space while he was still in the position.

Sheedy, who coached Hird throughout his 252-game career, including two premierships in 1993 and 2000, returned to the club in a marketing and ambassadorial role earlier this year.

The four-time premiership coach cited the experience of Melbourne coaching great Norm Smith, who spent three years in charge of Fitzroy before crossing to the Demons and coaching six premierships from 1955-64.

"[Hird's] always had the courage and the persistence, and he's a very resilient young man. He showed that even when he finished last week," Sheedy said.

"I hope he comes back and coaches again. Everyone forgets that one of the great coaches at the Melbourne Football Club, Norm Smith, probably the greatest coach ever I think, he started at Fitzroy for three years and then went to Melbourne and became a great coach."

"You never know. After you do your three years you get another chance and of course you could always have another career. Hopefully that happens for the young man."

Sheedy was one of a group of Essendon figures who headed to Hird's house last Tuesday night for "a fantastic celebration" of his career at the club.

Sheedy said he wouldn't advise Hird to return to coaching in the future – "That's up to him, but if you've got talent and have done just about the hardest apprenticeship ever, don't waste it" – and admitted it was a difficult call for the club to cut ties with one of their greatest ever players.

"It's a decision I'm glad I didn't have to make. I've always been a James Hird fan, so that's the way I look at it," Sheedy said.
"It was a tough period ... as we wait for the ASADA/WADA decision we'll just see how it all pans out.

"All I know that James Hird is one of the very decent people I've met in football."