Essendon’s turbulent start to the AFL season has claimed its first scalp, with game performance coach Mark Neeld departing the club.

On Monday, the Bombers announced the former Melbourne senior coach would leave the club just eight weeks into the season.

Essendon’s campaign slumped further into the mire at the weekend when previously winless Carlton prevailed by 13 points at the MCG.

John Worsfold’s coaching and game plan have come in for some stinging criticism with his side languishing in 15th place on the ladder with a 2-6 record.

A club statement released on Monday asserted the move was a mutual one, but added that Neeld’s former position would not be filled.

“This is an opportunity for John (Worsfold) and the performance coaches to create greater clarity and alignment in the brand of football we want to play,” football chief Dan Richardson said.

“We also believe this is an opportunity for our coaches to develop, be more empowered in their roles, and have greater input into the strategic direction of the team.”

Neeld was with the club for three years after previously coaching the Demons to a 5-28 record before being sacked halfway through the 2013 season.

The move came just hours after Essendon great Kevin Sheedy refuted former pupil Matthew Lloyd’s assertion that the Bombers are no longer a great club.

Champion full-forward Lloyd made his comments on Melbourne radio over the weekend after the Bombers lost to the Blues.

Sheedy acknowledged Lloyd’s comments could further damage the players’ already-eroded confidence, but insisted the Bombers are still a great club.

“Essendon will always be a great club because of their history,” said Sheedy, who coached the Bombers to four premierships in his 27-year tenure, and currently manages the club’s innovations and strategy division.

“The most premierships in the AFL along with Carlton and they get some of the greatest crowds of all time to the games.

“What he (Lloyd) is saying is that they’re not a great footy team at the moment – that’s a different analysis … and if you’re not winning games, you’ve got to be looked at and that’s fair enough.”

While Sheedy agreed Essendon were down on confidence, he said that history was littered with examples of things turning around in a short space of time.