Saracens defence coach Pat Sanderson has emerged as the shock favourite to replace Steve Diamond after the Sale Sharks boss departed the club, according to The Rugby Paper.
Diamond, who made 290 appearances for Sale as a player, rejoined the club in January 2011 and has also had spells as the club’s chief executive.
He left the Sharks just three matches into the 2020-21 Premiership season, the team having won two of those games.
Sanderson, who won 16 England caps between 1998 and 2007, has now emerged as the ‘lead contender’ to take over at the AJ Bell Stadium.
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The Rugby Paper has reported that the 43-year-old ‘was in the summer asked by the Sharks to take charge alongside Richard Wigglesworth, who is now with Leicester Tigers.’
Sharks are now reportedly ready to approach the Saracens coach once again with a long-term contract on the table.
LIST | 4 possible replacements for Steve Diamond at Sale Sharks
1. Richard Cockerill
After being forced out of Tigers, the former England hooker has established himself as a top coach once again with Edinburgh in the Top 14 despite having a lack of resources. A move back to the Premiership with Sale, who have a stunning new training ground, could make sense.
