World News – UK – Steve Diamond is leaving Sale Sharks with immediate effect

Steve Diamond has left his role as Rugby Director at Sale Sharks for personal reasons with immediate effect, the club announced.

Sale, who is currently fourth in the Gallagher Premiership and has won two of his first three games, thanked Diamond for his 10 years of service and confirmed that attacking and skills coach Paul Deacon will take responsibility for the first team, while they assess their long-term plans. The association has not published any further details on the type of departure.

The timing of the news is surprising as Diamond apparently had an impact on building a formidable team in the Northeast, attracting a cohort of high profile South Africans like the Du Preez brothers and World Cup winner Faf de Klerk. Last week he announced that Jean-Pierre du Preez from the second row (no relationship with the other Du Preez brothers) would join Sale with a two-year contract from Pro14 Cheetahs.

And despite an unexpected loss to Newcastle, who was recently promoted, the Sharks have made a good start to the 2020-21 Premiership campaign. You beat the London Irish and beat Northampton at the AJ Bell Stadium with one bonus point. You are now facing a daunting trip to Toulon for Saturday’s Champions Cup without a rugby director.

Diamond played more than 350 top games for Sale and earned his coaching strip at the club when he and his former teammate Jim Mallinder took over the management of the first team. He finished his first stint in 2002 but returned to his home club to take on the role of sporting director after coaching England Saxons, Saracens and Russia in 2011.

In a statement, Diamond said, “After 10 proud years at Sale Sharks, I made a decision to retire from the business. « I think this is the perfect moment to hand over to someone else as the club is now stable and in an excellent position to compete at the highest level.

« We have acquired a world class training facility, built an academy that many Premiership clubs envy, and built a squad that can win tournaments and trophies at national and European level.

« I know Simon and Ged will continue the progress we made together and I am now looking forward to taking some time off and planning my next challenge. ”

The Sharks’ end of the 2019-20 season was thrown into turmoil after a coronavirus outbreak on the squad resulted in them losing their last league game against Worcester and ultimately missing out on a play-off spot.

27 players and staff tested positive for the virus, although the club was later cleared of all wrongdoing by the RFU after Diamond denied allegations that his squad celebrated after the final Premiership Cup victory over Harlequins in Manchester.

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Sale Sharks, Steve Diamond, Rugby Union, Premiership Rugby