"Worcester return" - Steve Diamond sacked: 5 possible new clubs after Newcastle Red Bulls exit

The 56-year-old oversaw a 39-17 defeat against Saracens in his only game of the campaign. With riches of coaching experience, where may Steve Diamond end up next?

Diamond was part of the backroom team at Sixways for two years, joining initially as a consultant, before taking on head coach and director of rugby roles very soon into his tenure. With Worcester, he won a Premiership Rugby Cup, their only major trophy to date, before going into administration at the start of the 2022/23 season.

With the club’s recent return to the newly-branded second-tier CHAMP Rugby, an offer for Steve Diamond could boost their ambitions to play top-flight rugby once again.

Similarly to Worcester, the Exiles were suspended from Premiership Rugby after going into administration following the 2022/23 season. Since then, they have been bought by a consortium including the late Eddie Jordan, former Formula One team owner, as well as former New Zealand and South Africa internationals respectively: Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.

Kyle Jordan, son of Eddie, took over the role of interim chief executive of the club, and has planned a return to competitive rugby in 2026, exploring opportunities in both the Premiership and the United Rugby Championship. With a new era for the club on the horizon, could Steve Diamond be the big asset to a successful return for London Irish?

Alex Sanderson’s tenure as director of rugby at Sale is nothing short of impressive, finishing no lower than third in his last three seasons, including a Premiership final in 2023. Diamond relieved his role to Sanderson in December 2020, citing personal reasons, however praising the club’s stability and ability to fight amongst the biggest opponents, on his departure.

As a player, Diamond spent his whole career at Sale, amassing over 390 games. After retirement, he joined the club as a coach. After 11 years in two international set ups, and a couple years at Saracens, Diamond returned to Sale as Director of Sport, before assuming the Director of Rugby role the year after, where he spent eight years building for the future of the club.

Whilst there may not be a Director of Rugby role available, the Manchester-club will always be an option to the man who collectively spent 29 years pouring his soul there.

Having former experience at the international level with England Saxons, now England A’s, as well as qualifying for a Rugby World Cup with Russia, England’s Pathway Program restructure opens a door for Steve Diamond to coach the future of the Roses.

Mark Mapletoft leaves his post as England U20s Head coach, as Andy Titterrell takes on the position, alongside Kevin Sorrell as Backs coach. Diamond could assume a more forwards-focused coach role, maybe to set himself up to take over a head coaching role, and other program positions.

To add to their league struggles in the last few seasons, Quins saw Head Coach Danny Wilson depart for a job in Wales’ international set up, two weeks before the season began. The club have already restructured their coaching team, with Toby Booth arriving from Swansea to join the group as new defence coach.

Diamond has developed a reputation for turning round difficult situations at numerous clubs, building the foundations for Sale to succeed, helping Worcester win their only major trophy amongst financial issues, and keeping Newcastle afloat before their recent takeover.

Could a senior and experienced Steve Diamond help turn the recently poor Quins into the playoff contenders they have been for years?