All not well for Mallender? - updated to Sacked!

[Tigerbeat]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42324266

[RagingBull]

Would put money on Plumtree being DOR if i was a betting person.

[Roly]

"Attack coach Alan Dickens will taken over as interim head coach while Northampton embark upon "an extensive search to find a world-class director of rugby".

Oh Dear Lord, where have we heard that before?

[Crumblies]

The only players in the Saints squad that I think would genuinely improve our own squad are Lawes and Mallinder (Jnr).
There may be a couple of others but it tells you all you need to know about their lack of quality, because we are pretty average!

Lawes definitely. Mallinder Jnr? Problem with Lawes you lose another to England.

But what about addressing our perennial problem? Centre!!

Luke Burrell, he may not be the best, but his international days are probably gone, as an additional squad member, probably not going to take a huge chunk of our salary cap. A centre able to cover Toomua or Tuilagi, and better option than either Smith or Tait, makes sense to me. But probably way to sensible for our recruitment bods

[Tigerbeat]

Northampton Saints can confirm that director of rugby Jim Mallinder will be leaving his position at the club with immediate effect.

Having taken the reins at Franklin’s Gardens in 2007, Mallinder was the longest-serving director of rugby in the Aviva Premiership, but due to the recent string of results the Saints board agreed that a change in management was in the best interest of the club.

“Jim has been an outstanding director of rugby. We have been very lucky to have him at Franklin’s Gardens and he will always be a part of the Saints family,” said John White, Northampton Saints Chairman.

“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but the board and major shareholders felt that the time was right for some change.”

Alan Dickens, the club’s attack coach, will take over in the short-term position of interim head coach until a replacement is found for Mallinder.

Mallinder clinched trophies in each of his first three seasons at Franklin’s Gardens, initially winning a National League One and National Trophy double before securing the European Challenge Cup and the LV= Cup in the seasons that followed.

That success paved the way for a run all the way to the Heineken Cup final in 2011, where Saints came within a whisker of claiming the European crown. But Mallinder’s greatest success was still to come as Northampton lifted the Aviva Premiership trophy in 2014 having fallen just short in the final the previous year.

“Jim has done a superb job as Northampton Saints’ director of rugby over the last decade, and the amount of silverware the club has won during his tenure speaks for itself. We thank Jim for all he has done at Franklin’s Gardens,” commented Mark Darbon, Northampton Saints CEO.

“We will now begin an extensive search to find a world-class director of rugby to replace Jim.

“Whilst that search is underway, we will look to bolster our existing coaching group with some additional leadership and experience on a short-term basis for this season.

“Alan Dickens will oversee rugby and coaching matters on temporary basis as interim head coach.”

[LE18]

Has Westie gone too?

[biffer]

Well, maybe whoever replaces him will get rid of the thug culture that has hung around at Franklins Gardens for a while now.

[strawclearer]

Dickens, Nobby and Hopley really ought to fall on their collective swords in order to retain some dignity - but will probably wait to be 'released' for pay-out purposes.

[Tigerbeat]

Taken from Independent news piece:

Jim Mallinder is under pressure before Ospreys test as Northampton ...
The Independent-8 Dec 2017
With the out-of-sorts Wales wing George North expected to depart for the Dragons next season, and long-serving forwards coach Dorian West also rumoured to be on his way to Newcastle, Mallinder's power-base appears to be weakening. Winning will help rebuild it, but that must happen sooner rather ...

[Scott11]

Really worried Saints will get this appointment right!

[strawclearer]

Taken from Independent news piece:

Jim Mallinder is under pressure before Ospreys test as Northampton ...
The Independent-8 Dec 2017
With the out-of-sorts Wales wing George North expected to depart for the Dragons next season, and long-serving forwards coach Dorian West also rumoured to be on his way to Newcastle, Mallinder's power-base appears to be weakening. Winning will help rebuild it, but that must happen sooner rather ...

If Nobby went to Newcastle it wouldn't be as anything but a sideways move as Forwards Coach. I know John Wells is Head Coach up there but I wonder if he's up for a move back to the East Midlands? Does he have DoR aspirations or would he prefer to be a Forwards Coach? Just thinking out loud here!

[TTRITH]

If Nobby went to Newcastle it wouldn't be as anything but a sideways move as Forwards Coach. I know John Wells is Head Coach up there but I wonder if he's up for a move back to the East Midlands? Does he have DoR aspirations or would he prefer to be a Forwards Coach? Just thinking out loud here!

Stranger things have happened.

[Roly]

There are fairly strong rumours suggesting that Mallinder Jr has already been in talks with Tigers for next season.

[strawclearer]

There are fairly strong rumours suggesting that Mallinder Jr has already been in talks with Tigers for next season.

Is he old enough to drive? Could Courtney not give him a lift?

[Roly]

Its also being widely touted on the Saints unofficial that although Jim did make some mistakes with selections etc. many of their supporters feel the problem lies with the coaching staff rather than him ...stories aplenty about fallings out between key players and Dorian West.