Essendon confirm coach Knights sacked

Essendon have confirmed they have sacked coach Matthew Knights, ending his
three-year tenure at the AFL club.
Bombers chairman David Evans and chief executive Ian Robson announced the sacking on
Sunday afternoon.
Several media outlets announced at halftime of Sunday's Richmond-Port Adelaide match
that Essendon had parted ways with Knights.
It came a day after the Bombers had ended their disastrous season with a 29-point
loss to the Western Bulldogs.
They won only two of their final 12 matches and finished 14th, a year after making
the finals.
"We're here to announce the Essendon board met (Sunday) morning and have come to a
decision today that Matthew will no longer be the coach," Evans said.
"We have met with Matthew today to tell him of our decision.
"As chairman, I firstly want to say that at all times, Matthew has conducted himself
at our club with the utmost passion, commitment and courage."
Evans added that Knights was "bitterly disappointed" when told of the board's decision.
The Bombers chairman said the main reason for Knights' axing was the team's "lack of
progress" this season.
Essendon extended Knights' contract last year and he has two years to run - Evans
said the club would honour that financial commitment.
It is understood Essendon are facing a payout of up to $800,000 to Knights by
sacking him now.
Robson said the club had not yet sounded anyone out about taking over as coach and
would start taking applications on Monday.



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