‘I can’t say this won’t affect the team’ – Sale head coach

Colin Newboult
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Sale Sharks’ interim head coach Paul Deacon admits that he is unsure as to how the players will react after Steve Diamond’s shock departure as director of rugby.

The former hooker left his role for ‘personal reasons’ having spent the past 10 years at the club. Diamond also played his entire career at the Sharks before becoming a coach at the Greater Manchester outfit in 2001.

Spells at Saracens, Northampton Saints and the Russian national team followed, but he would return to Sale in January 2011 and helped rebuild the Premiership outfit.

The Sharks often punched above their financial weight under Diamond, but an increase in investment following new ownership allowed them to bring in several star players, particularly from South Africa.

Challenging for the play-offs

They just missed out on the play-offs in 2019/20, after they forfeited their final game against Worcester Warriors due to an outbreak of Covid-19, and have the potential to challenge again this season.

Sale are just three matches into the campaign and reside in fourth position in the table after victories over Northampton and London Irish, but this unexpected turn of events could have a detrimental impact on the club.

“Yesterday’s news came as a big shock and it has been a bit mad and hectic,” Deacon told reporters. “I certainly felt numb and some of the lads felt the same. It hasn’t really sunk in yet and we have just cracked on with the job in hand and we have a big game this week (against Toulon).

“I found out yesterday morning when I came into work. It was a bit of a surprise and I don’t know the ins and outs. Steve decided to leave for personal reasons and I just want to say what a fantastic job he has done at this club.

“He has left a great legacy and built a squad we believe can compete at the highest level and built a magnificent training facility at Carrington, and I wish him all the best for the future. I spoke to him last night and it was short and sharp and it is an emotional time for everyone. It’s personal to Steve.

“I can’t say for certain this won’t affect the team and we just have to crack on and will have to see what happens this weekend. It hasn’t really sunk in and there are a lot of things flying around my head.

“I am excited (about becoming interim boss) and that is up to the owners and what is right for the club going forward. Dimes has done so much for this club that people don’t know and has given his life to the club. He will be missed by everyone.”

 

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