Bryan Redpath will remain with Sale Sharks as head coach after being removed from his previous role as director of rugby at the struggling Premiership club.
Redpath, who arrived from Gloucester in June, had been Sale’s director of rugby until earlier this week, but he has now accepted the position of the team’s lead coach following a managerial restructuring.
The former Scotland scrum-half will now be part of a rugby strategy management board chaired by club owner Brian Kennedy, chief executive Steve Diamond, Redpath, former Sale boss John Mitchell and Ian Blackhurst.
Kennedy has made the changes after suffering seven successive league defeats this season.
“We are delighted to announce that Bryan Redpath will be taking on the role of head coach of Sale Sharks as from today,” Kennedy said on Wednesday.
“Sale Sharks have formed a rugby strategy management board which will meet regularly to devise and review the long-term rugby strategy.
“This board will be chaired by Brian Kennedy and consist of the following members: Ian Blackhurst, Steve Diamond, John Mitchell and Bryan Redpath.
“The priority of all the management within Sale Sharks is to get back to winning ways and secure our position in the Premiership. We believe we have the playing and coaching talent and structure to achieve this.”
Former New Zealand coach and England assistant Mitchell watched Sale’s most recent games, including last Friday’s Premiership defeat against Worcester, and has been working with the club as a consultant.
But despite making some big-name signings, including Danny Cipriani and Richie Gray, Sale are currently firm relegation favourites with a third of the Premiership season having elapsed.
They have recorded a solitary victory from nine starts in all competitions this term, beating European Cup opponents Cardiff Blues earlier this month.