John Worsfold ‘all but signed on’ as next coach of Essendon

John Worsfold is all but over the line as Essendon’s next coach, says Sam ‘Scoop’ McClure.

McClure said the noise out of Western Australia suggested it would be a major shock if the 2006 premiership coach ? and current coaching director at Adelaide ? wasn’t James Hird’s successor.

‘My understanding is that he’s all but signed on,’ McClure said on 3AW Football.

‘Essendon will absolutely deny this.’

McClure revealed Fremantle assistant Peter Sumich had been approached as a potential assistant, but turned the offer down.

A contingent of Essendon heavy-hitters flew to Adelaide last week to meet with Worsfold in a move that drew plenty of criticism, with the Crows still in finals.

‘I think the club realises they got that one horribly wrong,’ Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said.

But Lloyd said there might have been a reason why they kept it secret.

LISTEN: Scoop McClure and Matthew Lloyd explain more on 3AW