STAYING ON Head coach extends Gloucester contract, p76
JOHAN Ackermann has admitted that he had opportunities to return home to South Africa before agreeing to extend his stay at Gloucester.
His deal was due to expire at the end of the 2019-20 season but he has committed his future to remain as the club’s head coach until 2022.
Having transformed the Lions from a side that had dropped out of Super Rugby to back-to-back finalists, Ackermann’s stock has continued to rise since joining Gloucester two years ago and he led the club to their first Premiership semi-final in eight years this season.
It is known that the Bulls wanted to talk to him about replacing now England defence coach John Mitchell as their director of rugby last October but their approach was rejected.
Ackermann admitted that going back to South Africa was something he had to consider for family reasons but he feels he has unfinished business at Gloucester.
In an interview on Gloucester’s Youtube channel with BT Sport commentator Alastair Eykyn, Ackermann said: “When David Humphreys started the process of wanting to extend obviously there was a bit of thought going in there and I decided to stay because I do believe we’re on the verge of achieving stuff.
“It’s obviously a place I’ve settled in well and I can’t say thanks enough of how the people accepted me.
“There was a part that wanted to sign but with my daughter back in South Africa who I haven’t seen since January there was an emotional decision.
“There were opportunities, and I was thinking do I go back and be in the country where I’m closer? But then I’m not going to see Ruan (Ackermann, his son) and there’s always pros and cons.
“I looked at it how we’ve enjoyed it here and also where I want to take the club and I feel the job is not done and there’s excitement that made the decision easy in the end.”
Ackermann hopes to take Gloucester forward on the pitch but feels there is a bigger picture than the results or silverware.
“The biggest thing for me was to get the culture and environment in place,” he said.
“I wanted us to play a style of rugby that everyone would enjoy no matter what the outcome and everybody feels a part of, supporters and players.
“If I wanted to leave room for improvement I would’ve said fifth or sixth would’ve been good for growth but we obviously played well at some stages and got into the play-off spot and the club have experienced that.
“So it’s a good progress but there’s work to be done.
“I think the most important thing is who are we as a club, what do we stand for, what is our values, our culture, do the players grow as men? Everybody, all the staff at Kingsholm and Hartpury.
“Are we embracing each other every day and looking forward to the challenge?”