Scarlets chief stays quiet on Delaney departure
SCARLETS boss Jon Daniels has confirmed former Wales star Dwayne Peel will head up the coaching team next year, backed by ‘an experienced assistant’, following the sudden and dramatic departure of Glenn Delaney.
Head coach Delaney left the Welsh region with immediate effect in the aftermath of last Saturday’s victory over the Ospreys.
That announcement came as something of a surprise, not only due to the fact the west Walians had just beaten their fierce rivals, but because Delaney had been promoted to the role of director of rugby less than three weeks ago to accommodate the arrival of former Wales scrum-half Peel.
Before yesterday’s press conference ahead of the Rainbow Cup clash with Cardiff Blues this weekend, the Scarlets put up general manager Daniels to address any questions on the departure of Delaney.
When asked about the timing, which happened roughly at 10.15 pm on Saturday, Daniels said: “Simply the timing was agreed between Glenn and the club before the game. That in short is why it was at that time.”
When asked if Delaney was pushed from his role, as Scarlets board member Sean Fitzpatrick alluded to in an interview with WalesOnline, Daniels wouldn’t confirm or deny that claim.
“Listen you’ll understand I can’t comment on that,” he said. “Those discussions pre-Saturday and everything leading up to that point is now subject to a contractual agreement so I’m not at liberty to divulge any more information.
“I can’t comment on behalf of Sean, all I can say is I can’t comment on the events which led up to Saturday night’s announcement.”
Daniels was also asked if recent results were the reasons behind Delaney’s departure, but again he would not comment.
However, he was able to confirm that new head coach Peel would be now be the main man - which previously hadn’t been the original plan with Delaney still set to be in charge.
The search for an “experienced assistant” to help Peel, rather than a like-for-like director of rugby, is already in motion.