Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has been discharged from hospital in New York, 7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary has revealed.
“His health continues to improve and he will remain in New York until he’s in a position to fly home to Australia,” Cleary said on Thursday evening.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Sam Mitchell spends Christmas in New York hospital.
Analysis, local footy and the biggest moments, Seven and 7plus are the home of footy shows for every fan. Stream them all for free on 7plus >>
7NEWS understands Mitchell will remain surrounded by his wife, Lyndall, and three kids, until he is ready to fly home to Melbourne.
The 41-year-old was hospitalised with a deteriorating condition of pneumonia last week and was forced to spend Christmas Day in a hospital bed.
He was admitted to New York University Hospital on the 23rd of December, and Hawks players were informed of their coach’s health episode later that afternoon.
In a statement, Hawks CEO Ash Klein told 7NEWS: “Importantly, Sam is improving and recovering well”.
“The club has been in regular contact with Lyndall and we will obviously continue to support in any way we can,” he added.
The club also expressed their thanks to hospital staff for their ongoing care of the coach.
The Hawks resume pre-season training in just under a fortnight.
Mitchell just finished his second season as coach of the Hawks after taking over from Alastair Clarkson.
He steered the Hawks to seven wins and, while they finished above only North Melbourne and West Coast on the ladder, Mitchell has been praised for his efforts with a young and inexperienced list.
The club completed a busy off-season with the trade acquisitions of Collingwood premiership player Jack Ginnivan, fan-favourite Jack Gunston, versatile tall Mabior Chol and speedy defender Massimo D’Ambrosio.
They also traded out Tyler Brockman, Jacob Koschitzke and Brandon Ryan to continue their aggressive list rebuild.
The Hawks drafted Nick Watson with pick No.5 in the national draft, while they also added father-son pair Will McCabe and Calsher Dear.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn legend Cyril Rioli sent tongues wagging with a cryptic comment on Instagram.
Responding to a Hawks fan account that posted a photo celebrating the four-time premiership player, Rioli left a GIF of basketball legend Kobe Bryant with the words “job’s not finished”.
Fans were quick to spot the comment and Rioli added another reply saying, “no contract offers as yet”.
– With Ben Sutton and Mitch Cleary
