Respected coach lands ‘ambitious’ role in major overhaul at Premiership club

Ex-Northampton scrum coach Matt Ferguson has named his new Gallagher Premiership club, a job that comes with a very different title.

It was last January when the Saints surprisingly announced that the respected Ferguson’s Franklin’s Gardens contract would not be renewed at the end of his seventh season at the club.

Seven months later, he has now been unveiled by Harlequins as their new lead rugby transition coach as part of the reshuffle instigated by the departure of Billy Millard as director of rugby following seven years with the Londoners.

Aside from Ferguson, the 2024 Premiership title winner from Northampton, Harlequins have also promoted Andrew Sanger to general manager and appointed Gerard Mullen as first team skills coach.

A statement read: “Harlequins have confirmed several changes to its senior men’s performance structure for the 2025/26 season. Following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign and the news of Billy Millard’s departure, the club undertook a comprehensive internal review with valuable input and insight from members of the first team, coaches and performance heads of department.

“Following the review, the club identified several areas of further development within the programme and have made several changes to the performance team to address these.

“Firstly, the club is delighted to confirm the promotion of Andrew Sanger into the new role of general manager. In this pivotal and newly created role, Sanger will be ultimately responsible for all off-pitch performance areas, ensuring these are operating optimally to drive the programme forward.

“This will include the academy, athletic performance, medical, player recruitment and player welfare. The former army major moves into the role from his previous title of head of performance support and player welfare, having first joined the club as player development manager in 2018.

Big week ahead 👊💥#COYQ pic.twitter.com/u6I9U1f6k5

— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) August 17, 2025

“Secondly, Harlequins are thrilled to confirm the August 18 arrival of Matt Ferguson, who has been appointed as lead rugby transition coach. Ferguson joins from Northampton Saints, where he was scrum coach for seven seasons.

“Ferguson held an integral role in the Saints coaching team and departed following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign, in which Saints were Investec Champions Cup finalists, building on their Gallagher Premiership triumph in 2023/24. Before his time in the East Midlands, Ferguson worked with the Red Roses and was also part of the England A coaching team in February 2025.

“Ferguson’s role will be focused on achieving the club’s ambition to build long-term first team depth through our academy, by leading our transition strategy and output. He will be supported by additional transition resources, which will be reviewed and appointed post his arrival at the club.

“Ferguson will work closely with Sanger (general manager), Danny Wilson (head coach), Chim Gale (head of academy) and Ed Spokes (head of recruitment).

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“Finally, Gerard Mullen moves into a dedicated position as first team skills coach, sharpening individual player development across the squad.”

Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple said: “Following a thorough post-season review, we are excited to confirm a refined and strengthened performance structure for the 2025/26 season.

“These changes reflect our commitment to sustained success on and off the pitch, and I’m particularly pleased to congratulate Andrew Sanger on his new role as general manager and to welcome Matt Ferguson to the club as lead rugby transition coach.”

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