Mitch to remain in SA

Mitch to remain in SA

18 Sep 2012

Suspended Lions coach John Mitchell will stay in South Africa regardless of the outcome of his disciplinary hearing.

Mitchell was suspended in June when Lions players complained to management about his coaching style. The Lions have postponed his disciplinary hearing several times, but it is likely that Mitchell and the Lions will part ways.

Speaking to New Zealand’s Radio Sport, the former All Blacks coach said that he had no intention of returning to his home country just yet. He may give coaching a break, but Mitchell hopes to continue working in South Africa.

‘I really enjoy South Africa. I’ve been coaching professionally now for 18 years and it might be time to do a bit of media work and impart my knowledge on to other coaches and then pick the right place to go into,’ he said.

Mitchell added that he had learned a lot from his experiences at both the Western Force and the Lions. Both tenures were cut short prematurely.

‘Since the All Blacks I’ve been in two extremely different jobs, I guess. I developed a new club [Western Force] in Australia and gone to a place which was obviously very negative and toxic when I arrived and obviously needed a rebuild… there’s a learning [there], the next job I go into will have to a have a very good structure as opposed to trying to, I guess, micro-manage in an organisation which needs a lot of help.’

Mitchell also told Radio Sport that he has a good case against the Lions.

‘Unfortunately I’m in a situation that’s uncontrollable. The Lions are obviously in a very difficult situation in professional rugby, and I’ve been put in this position and ultimately that’s my responsibility.

‘The truth always comes out. I’m in a very good position, I’ve just got to trust the process.’


13 Comments

  • 1.xtremebull: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:06 am

    Kom bulle toe en bring vir taute en mapoe saam asb mitchell!!! Ludeke kan direkteur van bbru raak en mitchell hoofafrigter met victor matfield en pieter rossouw hulpafrigters…. Asb verhoor tog so my gebed

  • 2.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:08 am

    Would love this guy in the Stormers or Bok set up….so much knowledge to impart.

    Been brilliant listening to him and Mallet in the Supersport Studio…..

  • 3.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:28 am

    Mitchell can come join his mate Plum at the Sharks and impart some knowledge there…

    I am sure he will do this in between his new media responsibilities.

    AC Coetsee will never ever be able to cope with Mitchell… Plum will.

  • 4.cab: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:35 am

    Grant10 – u not wrong there IMO – tho I think he and meyers approach might be at polar ends of the spectrum – meyer would def be better in motivating the players but it would be good if he took onboard input from Mitchell .

  • 5.grant10: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:40 am

    HM needs someone to challenge his own comfort zones….he is surrounded by too many ‘ yes men ‘….

    If he could have a Mallet / Mitchell type just in some advisory capacity, would be a great help….Rassie seems very absent lately…..not sure what role Rassie playing in the set up, if any at all…

  • 6.Lions_Soutie: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:44 am

    @grant10-5: Is the real grant10 back?

    I’ve seen how much guys like Mitchell get paid to be guest-speaker at conferences. They don’t need to coach

  • 7.gunther: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:48 am

    We can give him Pine Time Pienaars job for a start.

  • 8.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 08:50 am

    Mitch, like Mallet is his own worst enemy.

    Great as a coach but a terrible man manager.

    And at this level that will restrict you every time.

    i wouldn’t have him anywhere near the WP setup.

    I agree with HG. He should go to the Sharks.

  • 9.Oliekrokenoster: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 10:14 am

    @xtremebull-1: I agree, we need someone to kick a few butts at the Bulls, en jaag sommer daai pretender Pienaar weg want hy kan nie eers o/13 afrig nie.

  • 10.katman: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 10:52 am

    @gunther-7: The old tea lady at my previous work once told me with great pride of the naughty pine ceilings she had put in her Mitchel’s Plain home. Now I’m thinking she has a Bulls coach up there somewhere.

  • 11.XV: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 11:08 am

    SA needs someone of this man’s cailbre. Mallet and Mitchell would be the dream ticket.

  • 12.cane: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 11:58 am

    “Mitch to remain in SA”.

    England, Australia and NZ,
    heave a huge sigh of relief.

  • 13.mako: Reply to this comment
    18 Sep 2012, 22:45 pm

    Well I think that is great news. Mitch has plenty to offer ad it is nice to see him committing to spending time in SA. Best of luck to him in whatever role he finds for himself. I hope he can add some value and brains to rugby in our country.

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