Johan Ackermann issues emotional goodbye to Gloucester as departure confirmed

The South African arrived at the Cherry and Whites for the start of the 2017/18 season and steered the team to the European Challenge Cup final in his first season.

He followed that with third spot in the Premiership the following season to ensure qualification for a second successive campaign in the European Champions Cup.

Ackermann had this message for the Gloucester fans, staff and players: “Being Head Coach of Gloucester Rugby has been a tremendous privilege for me, and I have loved every minute of it.

“Working with such a fantastic group of players and coaches has been a great experience. I would especially like to thank Martin [St Quinton] for the faith that he has shown in me.

“His support and friendship have meant a lot to me. Gloucester Rugby fans are a truly unique group, and I will always cherish the memories I have of being at Kingsholm."

Here are four possible replacements for the South African:

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.

The former Leicester head coach arrived at Edinburgh on a two-year deal in 2017 and signed a two-year extension before his first season was finished.

The former England international has made a major impact, leading Edinburgh to three European quarter-finals with this season’s campaign unfinished, and guiding them to top spot in Guinness PRO14 Conference B before the coronavirus pandemic forced a suspension of play.

This would be a fantastic appointment.

The Welshman is on the hunt for a new role after leaving Wasps earlier this season.

Captained Wales at rugby union and league and cut his teeth as a coach with Cardiff Blues, eventually guiding them to Anglo-Welsh Cup with a thrashing of Gloucester at Twickenham and European Challenge Cup glory by beating Jonny Wilkinson’s star-studded Toulon in Marseilles.

Quit the Blues the following year for Wasps and had done a decent job of turning them into a team challenging for top honours after overcoming a financial crisis by moving to Coventry.

The 49-year-old is serving a ban for placing bets on more than 1,000 rugby matches over four years in breach of the game's regulations. However, he could come into contention when his suspension ends in June 2020.

As well as acting as Gatland's assistant with Wales, Howley took over the head coach role when the New Zealander was in charge of the British and Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017 - guiding Wales to the Six Nations title in 2013.

As a player he won 59 Wales caps and played in two Lions Tests.