Mitchell reinstated as Lions coach
Nov 09,2012
Suspended coach John Mitchell will return to the Lions rugby franchise next week, the union said on Friday.
"The Golden Lions Rugby Union confirm they have met with John Mitchell and have discussed the relevant matters following his suspension earlier the season," GLRU CEO Ruben Moggee said in a statement.
"John will join the team when they return for their pre-season next week. There will be no further comment on the matter."
Mitchell was suspended in June after players gave a list of grievances to the union president, complaining of being subjected to abusive language and being forced to train and play with injuries.
He met with Lions' management on Friday in a bid to return as coach of the relegated Super Rugby outfit after his representatives said he had been cleared of misconduct.
Mitchell's Australia-based agents, Fordham Management, said on Thursday the uncompromising New Zealand er wanted to return to work with the Lions as soon as Friday.
Fordham Management said Mitchell had been exonerated and intended to return to his role with the Lions, the 2011 Currie Cup winners, despite being linked with a role at English Premiership club Sale.
"John is elated with the outcome and feels that his position and reputation as an international coach has been fully vindicated," Fordham Management said.
While he was suspended, the Lions were relegated from Super Rugby in August by the South African Rugby Union after finishing bottom of the standings.
Comments (6)
Nov 10, 2012 at 01:24:08
Whow....would like to have been a fly on the wall at that indaba.
Just what do you guys think this cost the Lions in monetary terms?
Nov 10, 2012 at 08:24:50
Mitchell will always be a no nonsense coach, and if the players can't take it they should not play rugby!!!
Nov 10, 2012 at 09:32:19
Every coach I ever knew,, rugby and boxing was a mean motherfucker,, I don't really see anything wrong with a coach being a mean miserable bastard,, especially in contact sports like rugby and boxing,, sometimes being mean is a great way to discipline people.. I been called almost every name under the sun by coaches in my life,,, so like bok befok says if they worried about getting vloeked in training they should not be training,,, I remember getting called a cunt then made to drink water then run up a mine dump drink more water then roll down the mine dump ,,,fok I think Modena would have cried had he got that bombed his way,,, lol
Nov 10, 2012 at 12:38:29
Thats an old English Military Tactic of training. If you a soldier then fair play but in sport nothing worst than a coach who cant motivate his team or adapt to their style of developement to get the most out of each player. I prefer a tactical, cool, calm, collected coach who gets hot when he needs to but knows when to turn it down and plant a good seed. A coach has to have a brains and balls and know how to balance the two. Im one oak who doesnt like to be sworn ba anyone especially my coach who is you mentor and Black people arent ready for that type of behaviour they still getting over the past and dont want need a reminder of that. I think this Michel needs to remember this is South Africa and things are done a different way. This type of thing doesnt happen at the sharks so i think Mich needs to drop his pitch.
Nov 12, 2012 at 10:10:01
Why go back and coach a side that doesn't want you as their coach, and why would the managment allow this? Will be interesting to see how it plays out and if the players stick around.
Nov 09, 2012 at 20:53:18
Wow. Regardless of his ability as a coach the Lions would have been better served to move past this. Wonder if Jonathan "we humans" Mokeuna makes the squad