‘Need to respect it’: Under-fire Eagles coach speaks amid reports board considering sacking

Embattled West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson has indicated he’ll get clarity on his future “in the next week or so”, as speculation mounts his time at the club is nearing its end.

Multiple outlets have backed up a report from former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, who said this week the board was considering sacking Simpson.

Speaking on 6PR with Adam Papalia as part of a regular slot, Simpson said he was seeking clarity on his position.

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“Getting clarity about what it looks like in the future and making sure you‘re still a part of it is important. That’ll come in the next week or so,” he said on Thursday night.

“I haven‘t asked the board, but I’ve spoken to a few people at the club to get some direction, that’s true. I’m not stamping my feet.

“It‘s more when we do all of this future planning, you want to be there if you’re recruiting people and employing staff. That clarity is important.

“At the same time, I fully respect the board and they‘ve always been pretty stoic and run by an agenda that they set, and I respect that.”

West Coast seems assured of the wooden spoon this year, with its 101-point Derby loss to Fremantle seeing its percentage drop to 50.6.

Several of the side’s veterans have announced their retirements in recent weeks as the side begins to turn over its list.

While Simpson’s suitability for a rebuild has been questioned, the 2018 premiership coach insisted he was prepared to undergo one when he signed a contract extension until the end of 2025.

“I signed a contract extension probably two years ago with the intent to work through a rebuild,” he said.

“I‘m really clear about that and I’m up for it. That’s been all part of the plan and I knew there were going to be some really difficult times and on the weekend was really difficult.

“I don‘t think one game in isolation is a pivot to make a change, but if the club and board decide that it is time to do that then I need to respect it. But I haven’t changed my position on where we’re at and what we need to do.

“There‘s always going to be some hard times but unfortunately on the weekend it was really hard.”