Ben Rutten insists he ‘absolutely’ wants to coach Essendon in 2023

Ben Rutten may appear a dead man walking after Essendon’s questionable handling of their Alastair Clarkson pursuit, but the Bombers coach insists he still sees himself in charge of the side in 2023. 

Rutten’s position is seemingly hanging by a thread after the AFL club made a knee-jerk approach for supercoach Clarkson this week, in a bid to snatch the four-time premiership winner from North Melbourne.

However, the 54-year-old chose the Roos in a humiliating episode for the Bombers, with club chief David Barham revealing that Rutten’s future will be determined on Sunday, after Saturday’s game against Richmond.

Essendon coach Ben Rutten insists he ‘absolutely’ wants to coach the club in 2023

And despite the axe looming over his head, Rutten is adamant that he will remain at the club next year.   

‘Absolutely,’ he said when asked if he sees himself coaching the club in 2023 prior to the game at the MCG.

‘I really believe in the playing group we’ve got at the football club and what we’re building.

‘I’d love to be able to see it through and that’s certainly my intention at this stage.’

More to follow.