Essendon have announced senior coach James Hird will not play a match-day role in the coach’s box until after the 2014 AFL season.

Hird’s 12-month ban for his role in Essendon’s 2012 supplements program is due to expire next month, making him eligible to join caretaker coach Mark Thompson for the final round of the home-and-away season in late August, plus the finals series in September.

“When James is eligible to return to the club on 25 August, James’ focus will be entirely on the 2015 season,” Essendon chairman Paul Little said in a statement released on Friday.

“He will not be in the coaching box or have an active coaching role at training.

“In that time period between 25 August until our final game of the season, James will take the opportunity to begin planning the upcoming pre-season, list management, recruiting and preparation for 2015 away from the club.

“Due to the considerable interest in this matter, we think it is important to clarify this today so that everyone understands how the club is approaching the next couple of months and there is no room for confusion or speculation.”

Club great Tim Watson has led calls in the past week for Hird to take a back seat to avoid disrupting the team as Thompson’s side mounts a bid to play in the finals series.

Thompson, a two-time premiership coach at Geelong before becoming Hird’s assistant coach, has been appointed on a one-year deal to guide the Bombers in Hird’s absence.

Little said he met with Hird, general manager of football performance Neil Craig, chief executive Xavier Campbell and Thompson earlier this week.

The meeting was called to discuss what was in the best interests of the club, Little said.

“And more specifically the playing group, as we prepare for what we all hope will be an active finals campaign,” Little added.

Little said all parties agreed it was best for Hird to work on planning issues away from the club while the 2014 season is still underway.

Hird says he doesn’t want to be a distraction.

“As much as I would dearly love to have jumped straight back into working with the team, I am determined that whatever role I play should in no way act as a distraction from the 2014 campaign,” Hird said.

“I would like to congratulate the club on what has been achieved so far this year. In very tough circumstances, the club has demonstrated great strength and resilience.

“As I will not be making any further public comments in relation to any matter, including the Federal Court case, I ask the media respect the privacy of my family.”

A Federal Court trial between Essendon and Hird against ASADA, launched after the anti-doping body issued show-cause notices to 34 current and former players, is scheduled to begin in August.