Ford gearing up for huge challenge with Germany
MIKE FORD says he is relishing his return to frontline coaching and the challenge of leading Germany to their first World Cup.
The former England, Ireland and Lions defence coach has taken a sabbatical from the Dallas Griffins, following the Texan outfit’s decision to suspend entry into the USA’s Major League Rugby until 2020, and is two weeks into his new role as Germany’s head coach.
Ford is contracted until the end of the global repechage tournament in Marseilles this November, where Germany will compete with Hong Kong, Canada and Kenya for the 20th and final ticket to Japan 2019 in Marseilles.
really excited me (about the job) was that tournament. I am intrigued to see if we can put together a diverse group of players together in a short space of time and give them the best chance of winning it,” said Ford, in his first interview since taking on the job.
“I’ve sat down with the players to talk about their hopes and dreams, and they can’t believe they have an opportunity to potentially go to the World Cup. They will give everything to get there in 2019.”
Germany will go into the repechage as the lowestranked of the four nations but, in appointing a man of Ford’s pedigree, they clearly mean business.
The 52-year-old has been to three World Cups him“What self and has coached some of the game’s biggest names in spells at Bath and Toulon.
While he admits coaching Germany is a different proposition, the chance to return to the sharp end of coaching after 15 months away is one he jumped at.
“Dallas aren’t playing any fixtures until 2020, and I was concerned that it could be two years before I coach again. You don’t forget how to coach but talking in front of players, planning, executing sessions – and everything else that goes with it – is a skill that needs to be practised.
“A good coach will always adapt and leave a team in a better place whatever level they’re at, and that’s what I am hoping to achieve here now.”
During his time in the States, Ford continued to be linked with every job under the sun, including at Leicester where his sons, George and Joe play.
“People probably think it’s you who’s putting your name out there but, to be honest, you don’t want to be linked with every job, you look desperate and I think it puts owners off. But there is nothing you can do, I just keep my head down.”