Gloucester
Nigel Davies Leaves
By Cherry Picker
May 12 2014
Nigel Davies has left Gloucester. His departure is not surprising considering this season's result and comes after Worcester won the local derby recording only their second victory of the whole season ..
The club's official statement says:
"Following extensive discussions between members of the Gloucester Rugby board with regards to the future direction of the playing department, the club has decided to part company with Director of Rugby Nigel Davies.
"It has been a tremendously difficult decision to reach. Nigel is a man who I personally have come to like and respect very much during my time at the club. He has worked tirelessly at his role over the past two seasons, he has been an excellent ambassador for the club and understands the expectation and levels we need to be performing at.
"However, playing performances and results during 2013-14 were a big disappointment to everyone at the club, As a result, the board has decided that the future interests of the team would be best served with a different individual in charge of team affairs.
"We have clear aspirations to be a top four side and that must drive our decision making process.
"The search for Nigel's successor begins today, and we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to find the right man for the job.
"We believe that the Director of Rugby role at Gloucester Rugby is one of the most prestigious in club rugby, and we're expecting interest from a high calibre of applicants worldwide.
"The player recruitment and retention that we have carried out over the past few months means that the successful applicant will have a top quality squad to work with next season, and they will be joining a club that is in great shape away from the playing field.
"I would like to place on record mine and the rest of the board's thanks to Nigel for his hard work and his contribution over the past two seasons, and wish him well for the future. He will always be welcome at Kingsholm, and I have no doubt that he will do a good job wherever he goes from here."
The only surprise about the sacking is that Davies, a very decent and highly respected man, is that it comes after his success in bringing in top talent in the shape of NZ prop John Afoa, Argentina lock Mariano Galarza, Wales hooker Richard Hibbard, Scotland half-back Greig Laidlaw and England lock Tom Palmer.
Whoever gets the job will have cause to thank him for bringing in these players, while Davies will always be left wondering "what if?"
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
12/05/2014 11:51
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Either way Nigel hasn't been able to get the pack performing and it has been embarrassing to see us going backwards so often.
Dean Richards for the job or Mark Mapletoft?
Or there's that bloke who beat us last Saturday.
Is Martin Johnson ready to enter the fray again I wonder?
Or there again some hard nosed coach from the southern hemisphere.
Mallett looks like the favourite with the media but I'd prefer a double act with something to prove like Newport's Lyn Jones and Kingsley Jones who has excellent Gloucs credentials. .
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:13:10:44:10 by Cherry Picker.
What we want is someone who can get the ball out to the backs not someone who would starve them of possession. IMHO
It's all well and good coachinbg the backsides off them and getting them as fit as you can, but once they're out on the park they need to know the hairdryer will be out if they don't perform.
All that and the fact he didn't strengthen the pack enough last summer.
15/05/2014 13:46
Says his cleaning lady heard it from her mate who heard it from her brother who works in Bristol..
