Former Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill could be on his way back to the Gallagher Premiership.
Rugby Pass has reported this morning that the current Edinburgh head coach is Gloucester’s top target to replace departing Johan Ackermann, who left to take over Japanese club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
Can't blame them but please no @EdinburghRugby 😱 😱
— Cath (@rugbycath) May 30, 2020
The Premiership club chasing Richard Cockerill https://t.co/5ru0RMdwi5
Gloucester CEO Lance Bradley revealed at a Q&A yesterday: “The fact that we are unable to train yet means that we have more time before we need to appoint a new Head Coach.
“We will be talking to our shortlist over the coming weeks, and plan to make an announcement in early July.”
The 49-year-old seems very happy in the Scottish capital, and still has a year remaining on his contract with the PRO14 club.
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It’s believed the Cherry & Whites are exploring the option of buying the Englishman out of that current deal in order to bring him to Kingsholm ahead of the 2020/21 season.
After two spells playing for Leicester and a two year-stint at Montferrand, Cockerill spent 12 years in coaching roles at his home club, Tigers, rising through the ranks to become Head Coach in 2009 and then Director of Rugby in 2010. He led the team to Premiership semi-finals every season he was in charge and won back-to-back titles in 2009, 2010 and a subsequent title in 2013.
He also reached the 2009 Heineken Cup Final in Edinburgh with Leicester and won the LV Cup in 2012. Cockerill earned 27 England caps in a distinguished playing career.
Johan Ackermann exit | 4 contenders to replace the South African at Gloucester
Here are four possible replacements for the South African:
1. Stuart Lancaster
Following England’s Rugby World Cup failure in 2015, Lancaster has begun to re-establish himself as a top coach since joining Leinster.
There is no need for him to leave the Irish, where he is having a very enjoyable and successful stint, but increased responsibility at one of English rugby’s biggest clubs?
If Gloucester are willing to meet the compensation requirement to buy him out of his current contract, it must be a tempting proposition.
