Northampton Saints can confirm that director of rugby Jim Mallinder will be leaving his position at the club with immediate effect.
Former England full-back Mallinder was the Premiership’s longest-serving rugby director, having taken over at Franklin’s Gardens in 2007.
However, due to the recent string of results, the Saints board agreed that a change in management was in the best interest of the club.
“Jim has been an outstanding director of rugby. We have been very lucky to have him at Franklin’s Gardens and he will always be a part of the Saints family,” said John White, Northampton Saints Chairman.
“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but the board and major shareholders felt that the time was right for some change.”
Alan Dickens, the club’s attack coach, will take over in the short-term position of interim head coach until a replacement is found for Mallinder.
Mallinder clinched trophies in each of his first three seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, initially winning a National League One and National Trophy double before securing the European Challenge Cup and the LV= Cup in the seasons that followed.