S Africa’s Ackermann succeeds Fisher as Gloucester coach
South Africa’s Johan Ackermann is to become the new head coach of Gloucester in time for the 2017/18 season, the English Premiership side announced yesterday.
Ackermann, 46, is currently in charge of the Lions but will leave the Johannesburg-based club at the end of the current Super Rugby season. He will replace Laurie Fisher at Kingsholm after the Australian resigned from his post with southwest club Gloucester last month. Former lock Ackermann, who won 13 South Africa caps, has previous experience of the Premiership from a spell with Northampton. He led the Lions to promotion to Super Rugby in 2013 and to the Super Final last season where they were beaten by New Zealand’s Hurricanes. But he believes moving to England will help improve him as a coach, telling the Lions’ Facebook page: “I have come to a crossroad in my career and believe that my coaching journey needs to change in order for me to grow.” Meanwhile Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys said in a club statement: “We’re all delighted that Johan has agreed to become the next head coach of Gloucester Rugby.
“He is one of the top coaching talents in world rugby, and it’s a significant coup for the club to recruit someone of his calibre. “When we first spoke to Johan, we were struck by the enthusiasm and energy he displayed to take up the challenge at Gloucester but, once we had met with him, we knew he was the person we wanted to take the club forward.” Gloucester were one of England’s leading clubs when rugby union was an amateur sport but have had generally mediocre results in the professional era. This is despite boasting one of the most passionate home crowds in the Premiership and being the centre of sporting attention in a city without a major soccer club.
But former Ireland fly-half Humphreys believes Ackermann can oversee a revival in the Cherry and Whites’ fortunes.
“We were particularly impressed by his proven ability to take a team that has under-performed, and turned them into Championship contenders,” Humphreys said.
“Their year on year progression has been impressive and they are continuing that upward trend this season.
“The way that the Lions play in Super Rugby under his leadership has attracted many admirers around the world, as they have managed to create a winning brand but are also capable of playing an attractive style of rugby.” Fisher quit after Gloucester somehow squandered a 12-point lead in the closing nine minutes of an eventual 30-27 loss at home to Harlequins in the Premiership last month, tweeting afterwards: “Unbelievable capitulation. Clearly not good enough. My responsibility.”
For all that they have failed to make much of an impression upon the Premiership this season, Gloucester did get through to the semi-finals of Europe’s second-tier Challenge Cup with a 46-26 win at home to Cardiff Blues on Saturday. — AFP