James Hird’s 12-month suspension as Essendon’s senior coach is officially over, although he will play a back-seat role to stand-in coach Mark Thompson until the 2014 AFL campaign is completed.

Hird arrived for his first day back at Essendon on Monday, having served a 12-month AFL-imposed ban for his role in the club’s controversial program.

He told reporters his focus was on 2015, with Thompson to continue as senior coach for the remainder of the 2014 season, including the finals campaign.

“The roles are pretty well defined – Bomber is the coach until the end of the year and he has done a fantastic job,” Hird said.

“I’m so proud of the players, they way they have played and the whole club, the way they have performed the whole year.

“It won’t be hard, I’m concentrating on 2015 and there is a lot of work to do.”

Seventh-placed Essendon are almost certain to play in the finals for the first time in three years, having been banned from last year’s playoff action.

Hird also said he hoped Thompson would remain at the club next season – although the two-time Geelong premiership mentor said last week he was unsure whether there would be a role for him.

“We’d all like Bomber to stay on, particularly, I’d like him to stay on – he is obviously a great coach, he’s been terrific for the players this year and for the whole club this year,” Hird said.

“It’s not just his decision or my decision it is also the club’s decision – but everybody at Essendon would like him to stay.”

Hird’s suspension was part of an AFL-imposed penalty over the club’s doping saga, which is now before the courts.

The club has challenged the legality of the joint AFL-ASADA investigation carried out by anti-doping body.