Bath seek high-profile appointment from established quartet
Down at Bath Rugby, The Rec is known as one of the most traditionalistic and atmospheric stadiums in Europe. But speculation is rife about the future of newly installed head coach Sir Ian McGeechan. Known as 'Lionman' for his many exploits as both player and coach for the British and Irish Lions, it seems as if the much traveled veteran has unfinished business.
A touring team which has brought him much success throughout his rugby career, Geech has been appointed to help with the planning for the 2013 tour to Australia which means a potential early release from his Bath contract. There are even whispers that he could lead the Lions once again as head coach, still heartbroken by that 79th minute penalty from Morne Steyn at Loftus Versveld which broke Lions hearts. This is all despite only recently fully taking over the reigns at The Rec from Steve Meehan,
With a time frame still unclear at this stage, attention turns to the appointment of a new head coach for one of the most decorated clubs in the land. Bath have always had a proud history and tradition. Steeped in rich history, multi-millionaire owner Bruce Craig plans to relive the glory days with a club he calls home. New first class training facilities have been put in place for the players whilst stadium discussions are still on going. Squad personnel is still at a crossroads despite Meehan's best efforts and whilst the fans remain as loyal as ever, trophies have still eluded Bath with the 2008 Challenge Cup victory their sole piece of silverware for the past 12 years.
But maybe, that is all about to change. It has been announced that a coaching shortlist has been made to realise all of these dreams and ambitions of the Bath faithful. Jim Mallinder, Robbie Deans, Nick Mallett and Dean Richards are all apparently in the frame as Craig and co. seek a world class coach to help their ever-lasting revival. Whilst no official announcement has yet been made, it is well known that there are also another four coaches from both hemispheres that are being discussed and analyzed.
So what would a move to the West Country mean to the four men in question? For Jim Mallinder, a move from the Midlands would represent, with the greatest of respect, a step sideways, not forwards. He has had a very successful time in charge of Northampton Saints, moulding them into a Premiership title chasing outfit. Well respected by all for their adventurous style of play in Europe, he has bought well in the transfer market building a young, energetic and enthusiastic side capable of mixing it with the best.
Having been in charge for 4 years, he appears very settled but has he taken the club as far as he can? Is it time for a change, does he need a fresh challenge? Going to Bath would certainly see Mallinder stepping out of his comfort zone. He has a great track record producing young English talent and Craig can clearly see that he is a hungry, driven, motivated individual. Having also coached Sale Sharks, England U21 and England Saxons, he brings experience but in reality, I cannot see his head being turned. Franklins Gardens is a fortress and having made them an established European force by winning the 2010 Challenge Cup and reaching the Heineken Cup semi-finals this time around, I feel he can go on and achieve domination in what is a very settled club environment.
Where as the potential capture of former All Black Robbie Deans is a little further afield. The adopted Wallaby coach has been in charge of the international side for three years now and has blended together a world class backline showing faith in exciting youngsters such as James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale. At the helm, he has turned the forward pack into a more competitive and combative unit. They have always had a reputation for struggling in the tight and scrummage but Deans really seems to have shored them up. He is about to embark on his first World Cup campaign as head coach and after a series of mixed results over recent years, consistency seems to be the key for Australia, brilliant one week yet frustrating the next, like their Bath counterparts.
I feel that the success Deans has in the tournament won't influence his decision to come to England. Were he to succeed, it would be great for Australian rugby and you can't see him leaving the World Cup winners to go to a west country club currently at a crossroads. Yes, signing Deans to the coaching staff would be a major coup for Bath and a real statement of intent but being realistic, it is a very audacious bid, highly unlikely. He is a proven winner having won three Super Rugby titles in his time in charge of the Canterbury Crusaders.
Another foreigner on Bath's radar is Nick Mallet, former Springbok player and coach, current Italian head coach. A passionate and highly motivated individual who has also coached star-studded Stade Francais in the grueling Top 14, he has earned a ferocious reputation as a hard-nosed, no nonsense competitor. Always keen to succeed yet not afraid of losing, he is well respected by his peers. It would be great to see him coaching fellow South Africans Michael Claassens, Francois Louw and Nick Abendonen from next season given it is common knowledge that he will be leaving his job with the Azurri after the World Cup regardless of how far they get in the competition.
He won 27 of 38 tests incharge of the Boks, he won two consecutive French Top 14 titles in 2003-2004, he is a proven winner. He relishes a challenge and under his stewardship, the proud yet limited Italians have been made a more professional, organised, hard-working outfit. They are difficult to built and he has built a solid pack spearheaded by their world class number 8, Sergio Parisse. Mallet has taken the team on tremendously even if results suggest otherwise and having won titles in other countries, England and Bath could well be on his radar once his Italian adventure ends in the land of the long white cloud.
Now Dean Richards, whom I strongly tip to be the most suitable contender to be named Bath head coach once McGeechan continues his long found love affair with the Lions. Rugby has brought this man some tremendous moment throughout his career but he is a man disgraced, a point to prove. A multiple British and Irish Lion as a player, Richards was a leader, a warrior steeped richly in the ethos and traditions of the most successful English club in the professional era, Leicester Tigers.
His playing career was simply marvellous yet his coaching career has been blighted by one incident. Bloodgate. He was disgraced after the role he played in a scandal with his former employees Harlequins which rocked the sporting world. Rightly banned from rugby union worldwide, the sport he once loved, Richards' ban ends soon and having repeatedly made it clear he wanted to get back into coaching, Bath Rugby would be the ideal destinatinon for him to rebuild his battered image. He was on the verge of greatness at the Twickenham Stoop, building a squad, stadium and fanbase able to compete with the cream of Europe. They were producing the goods on the pitch too before it all went horribly wrong.
Now, it is important to consider that there is understood to be at least four more names in the frame for the Bath job from both hemispheres. Choose who you like, take your pick from a quartet of rugby coaches who offer passion, expertise, leadership and drive. With McGeechan seeking pastures new to rekindle his romantic love affair with a famous team he still calls home, Bruce Craig has some good options on the table. Whoever is finally appointed they will be able to work with new signings Louw, Dave Attwood, Kyle Eastmond and Dan Hipkiss. Everything is geared towards success down at The Rec and be it Mallinder, Deans, Mallett, Richards or another figure, success and a high-profile appointment surely cannot be too far away.
