Rugby:Former Leinster coach Michael Cheika and Newcastle boss Gary Gold are the top two contenders to take over at Aviva Premiership club Bath.
It is also believed that Nick Mallett, who was recently beaten to the role of England boss by Stuart Lancaster, is not being considered by Recreation Ground chiefs.
Bath announced today that rugby director Ian McGeechan will leave his post at the end of this season. The Scot’s exit, which coincides with the end of an existing two-year contract, will spark a coaching reshuffle.
Bath say they are making “good progress” in identifying a head coach, claiming a new structure and coaches will be agreed and in place during the summer in readiness for next season.
Cheika led Leinster to European title glory in 2009, and he went close to European success with Stade Francais last season before they suffered an agonising Amlin Challenge Cup final defeat against Harlequins.
Gold is currently in temporary charge of Premiership relegation favourites Newcastle. He took the reins in January, charged with trying to keep Newcastle in English rugby’s top flight, but they are currently eight points adrift at the basement with just three league games left.
Former Harlequins supremo Dean Richards, whose three-year worldwide coaching ban imposed following his role in the 2009 Bloodgate saga expires this summer, has already been appointed as Falcons rugby director next term.
Gold has previous Premiership experience with London Irish, and he arrived at Kingston Park after being part of South Africa’s coaching staff during the World Cup in New Zealand last autumn.
McGeechan, 65, initially joined Bath as performance director. He held previous coaching roles with Northampton and Wasps, and is synonymous with the British and Irish Lions, having headed up four tours during a 20-year spell.
Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld said: “We would like to thank ‘Geech’ for his time with the club and for his assistance in developing the culture at the club through this transitional period. An announcement regarding a new head coach will be made in due course.”
McGeechan said: “I’ve really enjoyed being part of Bath Rugby and the challenge of leading the cultural change that has taken place, particularly over the last 18 months.
“The commitment of the players and staff during this significant transitional period has been outstanding. I will now take on the responsibility as head coach for the last three games.”
Bath have endured an erratic season, finding themselves well adrift of the Premiership play-off race and struggling to secure automatic qualification for next season’s Heineken Cup.
Their woes were compounded by a 26-6 home defeat against Northampton last Saturday night that resulted in the club’s coaching staff apologising to supporters for what was an abject performance.
Bath also made an early exit from this season’s Heineken Cup from a pool that included Leinster.
