Edinburgh rugby coach Solomons quits post after poor start to season

PRo12: Coach stands down after three defeats in first four league games

Alan Solomons last night sensationally quit Pro12 flops Edinburgh – and insisted he had made the success-starved team better.

As former Calcutta Cup hero Duncan Hodge was revealed as caretaker boss, it became clear that the South African had jumped before he was pushed.

The departure of Solomons at the end of a three-year stint came after a run of three defeats in four games, the latest of which was the 28-14 thumping by Munster in Limerick at the weekend.

Solomons had complained in recent weeks about the SRU investing more cash in high-flying Glasgow than his own outfit. He said: “I have decided to step down. “I understand Scottish Rugby have appointed Duncan as the new acting head coach and I wish him well.

“I have greatly enjoyed working with the players and coaches.

“I feel I have helped to put the club on a much stronger footing and am leaving it in a better place than when I arrived.”

Confirming that Hodge will be strongly in the running to fill the hot-seat on a permanent basis if he turns round the side’s fortunes, union chief executive Mark Dodson said: “Alan came at a difficult time in Edinburgh’s history and helped to stabilise and strengthen the club.

“He achieved some notable successes including leading the first Scottish team to a European final of the Challenge Cup in 2015 and back-to-back 1872 Scottish Cup victories over Glasgow.

“Duncan brings his recent coaching experience from the Scotland national team as well as his long playing career with Edinburgh into the role and he will receive our full support to keep moving the club forward.”

Despite his assertions and the glowing eulogy from Dodson, the bottom line is that Solomons was unable to inspire his team to finish in the top half of the league and, consequently, failed to qualify for Europe’s flagship tournament, the Champions Cup.

Hodge’s first task will be to motivate his troops for tomorrow’s crucial basement battle with fallen champions Connacht in Galway.

Hodge returned to the club two years ago after working with the national team in 2012.

Stevie Scott and Pete Wilkins will remain as assistants.

Pictures: SNS. Left: Alan Solomons has left Edinburgh after three years in charge. Right: Duncan Hodge has been handed the chance to stake a claim for the post as caretaker boss.