Sale Sharks have parted ways with head coach Marco Bortolami, according to RugbyPass.
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The decision adds a fresh layer of intrigue to Sale’s emphatic 35–14 Investec Champions Cup victory away at Clermont, a result that now appears to have been achieved against a backdrop of quiet disruption behind the scenes.
RugbyPass understands the call was made on Friday, bringing a sudden end to the Italian’s short and ultimately ill-fated spell at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Bortolami had only arrived last June, joining from URC side Benetton Treviso before the end of their season.
The former Italy lock was brought in to work under director of rugby Alex Sanderson, but results in the Gallagher Premiership have failed to spark, with Sale currently sitting seventh in the table.
While the exact reasons for the split have not been made public, it is understood that relationships within the backroom setup were strained.
His exit draws the curtain on a brief appointment and now opens the door for a reshuffle of Sale’s coaching ticket as the Sharks look to steady the ship for the remainder of the season.
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