Worsfold was announced as senior coach by the Bombers at on Monday morning, having reached final agreement with the club on Sunday.

His contract is understood to have an option for a fourth year, as well as performance-related bonuses.

Essendon informed the unsuccessful candidates, including former Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney and Collingwood assistant Scott Burns, of the club's decision on Sunday night.

Worsfold has been working as director of coaching at Adelaide since the tragic death of Phil Walsh in July, which had rekindled his interest in a return to coaching.

Worsfold's coaching team is yet to be finalised, and it is yet to be confirmed whether it will include former Suns coach Guy McKenna, who is a friend of Worsfold's, but Essendon great and former Fremantle coach Mark Harvey and this year's interim coach Matthew Egan will remain as part of the coaching panel.

There is one vacancy, potentially two, to be filled on the panel.

The Essendon board met with Worsfold on Sunday and he presented to them, having previously dealt with the club's coach selection sub-committee, which included former Melbourne coach and Essendon captain Neale Daniher and former Hawthorn premiership player Brad Sewell.

Board member Lindsay Tanner, who is expected to be the next Essendon chairman, was also involved in the second phase, with the process managed by club chief executive Xavier Campbell.