[LJK]

...according to Ruck ...happened yesterday as not all well behind the scenes apparently

[dinogyro]

That was quick.

[Bronzbronx]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/sale-sha ... bortolami/

[Olyy]

Tbh it's felt a bit off all season - not sure I've seen him on TNT or any interviews or anything all season
I know English isn't his first language but he is head coach - seen more of Briggsy/Byron

[SSR]

Joe Ford to Head Coach ?

[Bucks1861]

As the players knew he’d gone before they played yesterday, it makes me wonder if our new found style of play / commitment were as a consequence of the removal of tension & conflict?


Also self evidently , to remove your head coach before Xmas in his first year is a real statement that said this doesn’t and won’t work.

[Bucks1861]

That was quick.

When it doesn’t work, define the problem, review the options, make your call, implement the change and rebuild. I’d suggest this is what has happened here.

From my experience leaving something that doesn’t work and expecting it to improve is naive. Our owners aren’t that.

So call made, let’s unite and move on.

[Lord Elpus]

Gone.........and never called me mother.

[ejndavid95]

This news coming out gives me the distinct impression what we saw in Clermont was something of the infamous "new manager bounce" so to speak...

[Olyy]

Confirmation from the club:
https://www.salesharks.com/2025/12/17/c ... ves-sharks

[SSR]

"unforeseen circumstances" , very intruiging. I sincerely hope it is just professional issues.

[The Back Row]

The unforeseen circumstances were failing to win games - either that or he did not have a suffiently awesome Heraldic Shield or Visual Metaphors

[ledzepsfr]

Joe Ford to head coach according to Sanderson....hopefully things will improve.
Axe said they promote from within.

From DoR down, all the coaching staff are ex Sale players. (Unless google is misleading me). Which is all well and good if it works.
Now I am NOT advocating change for change sake here, however, it does smack of 'jobs for the boys' and could be a case of 'familiarity and blinkered views'. It could/would make it difficult for an outsider to come in and change things.

It could also be a case of a 'retiring' player on the payroll and rather that pay them off, pay them for work? I'm not sure if this is a similar scenario at other clubs.

Factually edited. Thanks SSR

[SSR]

Joe Ford is an ex Sale player. Typo maybe ? Although it is quite a fascinating fact.
Not sure it is of any relevance unless they all have no experience away from the club.

[dinogyro]

This news coming out gives me the distinct impression what we saw in Clermont was something of the infamous "new manager bounce" so to speak...

Very prescient. Our bounce didn't last long!

[poyntonshark]

Joe Ford is an ex Sale player. Typo maybe ? Although it is quite a fascinating fact.
Not sure it is of any relevance unless they all have no experience away from the club.

Not sure if that a question or statement, but just to be sure yes Joe Ford is an ex Sale player (keep it quiet, but not a very good one from my addled recollection).

Dorian West , however, is a one club man as a player - Leicester.

[SSR]

I knew Joe Ford was an ex-player, but did not know about the other coaches. I was replying to
Ledzepsfr post about all except JF being Sale players. It is a shame that is not true though.

[poyntonshark]

OK no problem.

@ledzepsfr didn't except JF (just sayin)

[SSR]

He did originally, he corrected it afterwards. I am just nit picking.

[ledzepsfr]

OK no problem.

@ledzepsfr didn't except JF (just sayin)

I did originally but then edited my post. My bad re West, I thought he played at some point. Basically I was pointing out that the 'promote from within' does not seem to be working to me and could make it difficult for an outsider to stamp their authority.

[RinTin]

I'd go more general and say if you're not from the north you can't coach here.

Bortolami arriving to his first training session was like a randomer walking into a small village drinking pub. Nothing but silence and confusion from the patrons about who this guy is, where he's come from and what he's doing.

[ageinghoody]

I'd go more general and say if you're not from the north you can't coach here.

Bortolami arriving to his first training session was like a randomer walking into a small village drinking pub. Nothing but silence and confusion from the patrons about who this guy is, where he's come from and what he's doing.

Now I can't get rid of the mental picture of Brian Glover in "An American Werewolf In London"!

[RinTin]

I'd go more general and say if you're not from the north you can't coach here.

Bortolami arriving to his first training session was like a randomer walking into a small village drinking pub. Nothing but silence and confusion from the patrons about who this guy is, where he's come from and what he's doing.

Now I can't get rid of the mental picture of Brian Glover in "An American Werewolf In London"!

Perfect example! We've now cast Marco out to the moors - who knows if we'll see him again.

[Olyy]

He's now part of the Georgia national team coaching setup - head coach until June then forwards coach after (their new HC is currently with Brive so can't join straight away)