Sanderson aims to turn Sharks into powerhouse
RESTLESS Alex Sanderson cannot wait to get stuck into the task of helping Sale Sharks fulfil their potential and become the powerhouse of the north that they crave to be.
Since swapping Saracens for Sale, as the club’s latest DoR, the 41-year-old says he has been getting up at 3.30 in the morning – not to watch the England cricket Test series in Sri Lanka – but because he is buzzing with ideas.
However, the former Sale forward and captain insists he is not going to radically overhaul everything his predecessor Steve Diamond put in place.
“I haven’t got a bad word to say about Steve Diamond, he has only ever done good things by me,” said Sanderson, who leaves Saracens to take up his role with immediate effect.
“He was the first person to sign me up at Sale, when I was at Kirkham School, and he took me to Saracens and gave me my first coaching break there when I was injured.
“I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for that man and it is obvious to see how much he has built and the contribution he has had at Sale.
“I spoke to him this morning (Friday), he is in Dubai drinking pina coladas, the lucky sod. He rang me up, pretty much to wish me well, which meant a lot because I would hate to think I was jumping into an open grave because I am not.
“I am not going to chuck my weight around or tear anything down, I am just going to add to it.”
Sanderson stressed that Diamond’s old lieutenants, Paul Deacon (head coach/attack), Mike Forshaw (defence) and Dorian West (forwards), would be staying in position.
“Deacs is still head coach and will have large control and autonomy over the rugby. He is a brilliant and modest human being and a supremely excellent technical coach,” said Sanderson, capped five times by England in the early noughties.
“What we are doing here is a collaboration; I want him to challenge me because I am going to challenge him every day. In the process of that, we will get to where we want to be.
“In terms of taking them to the next level, we’ll be a place of high performance where we are looking to improve every day,” he added.
“The exciting thing about this place is that we are only scratching the surface. I believe it is somewhat of a sleeping giant.
“With the coaching staff and the squad we have got together with the ambition of the owners, I honestly believe we will find the answers.”
Sanderson revealed that he turned down two international jobs and a couple of approaches from other Premiership clubs to take on the role at Sale.
“It is a brilliant opportunity. I am flattered and chuffed to bits to be coming home,” he said.
“Every person, every friend, and even the lads at Saracens, who for selfish reasons wanted me to stay, gave me their blessing because they knew it was the best thing for me and my family.”
Sanderson wants to create a strong culture and build a dynasty of success like he helped to mould at multiple trophy-winning Saracens: “Fleeting success is not what I am about, I am going in there to build something that is lasting, that transcends accolades and people can be proud of years down the line.”
One aspect of the rugby side of the job that particularly excites Sanderson is the chance to work with England flanker Tom Curry.
“I’ve been watching the Sale games, and when you watch it in detail and you understand how many massive collisions he puts in and how hungry he is – not just to make tackles but big ‘uns – and how he impacts the game in that sense, we are very, very lucky to have someone of his skillset. His brother (Ben) is ace as well,” Sanderson said.
“He is better player than I ever was or ever could be so quite how much I can teach him on a rugby field, I don’t know.”