Exiled Essendon coach James Hird has returned to the club for his first day of work after serving a 12-month ban for bringing the game into disrepute.

Caretaker coach Mark ‘Bomber’ Thompson will stay on until the end of 2014 season, with Hird praising him for being “a great coach”.

• ASADA files Essendon defence
• Why Bomber’s the best option for Essendon

“Bomber will be coach until the end of the year. He’s done a fantastic job and I’m so proud of the players and the way they’ve played,” said Hird.

The legendary Essendon player said that he was excited to be back at work but was “concentrating on 2015”.

Hird was suspended from the game for 12 months as part of an ASADA investigation into doping at the club.

As for whether or not Thompson will stay at Essendon next season, Hird said that would be his decision but would like him to stay on.

“We’d all like Bomber to stay on. Particularly I’d like him to stay on,” he said.