Mitchell wants Lions return
5 Nov 2012
Suspended head coach John Mitchell believes he still has something to offer to the Lions.
Mitchell was suspended in June after complaints from players about his strict management ways. It’s believed that the Kiwi coach has been found not guilty, with chairman Peter Bam making a final call on proceedings.
During Mitchell’s absence, forwards coach Johann Ackermannn took charge of the team on an interim basis and led the Lions to the Currie Cup semi-finals. Keo.co.za has it on good authority that Ackermann is the favourite candidate to take over the post permanently.
However, Mitchell confirmed in a press release that he wants his position back at the Johannesburg union.
‘I want my head coach position back at the Lions,’ read the statement. ‘There is some unfinished business to do with the Lions. Furthermore, I am determined that my future will be in South Africa.’
Mitchell’s representatives at The Fordham Company also hoped that the Lions will be respond quickly to their client’s wishes to continue as head coach.
‘Even though John has been cleared of these particular allegations, the GLRU, through its lawyers, is not prepared to release details to John or his lawyers,’ said the statement. ‘That’s pretty amazing considering the damage that this action taken by the GLRU has done to John’s reputation and brand.
‘Furthermore, the GLRU’s lawyers have advised John’s lawyers that they are not prepared to release the findings and recommendations pertaining to the remaining nine charges brought against John unless John agrees to sign a confidentiality undertaking. One would have to question why this information is being withheld.’
In reply, the Lions have said in a statement: ‘In terms of the independent chairperson’s findings and recommendations, the GLRU will engage John in discussions which by the nature of the employment relationship are private and confidential and cannot be disclosed.’
31 Comments
5 Nov 2012, 12:45 pm
BrumbiesBoy come and feast your eyes
while you’re at it. please explain your “PE” connection to the GLRU s Mitchell sgaga.
5 Nov 2012, 12:55 pm
the joke that is Rugby administration in SA
5 Nov 2012, 13:44 pm
Well done John M and shame on you Lions. John must surely sport one of the two most beautiful sets of cauliflower ears in world rugby. Toss up between him and Graham Rowntree’s set. Never mess with a person who has cauliflower ears!
5 Nov 2012, 14:11 pm
Wtf lions? Now JM’s gonna ride you dumbasses for all youre worth. Pay him and bankrupt yourselves, then take a step back and give yourselves a peosklap.
5 Nov 2012, 14:19 pm
@Transformation-1: I repeat my question from the other thread, what’s an “Imi”?
5 Nov 2012, 14:33 pm
Unfair dismissal + unfair labour practice + breach of contract =………
5 Nov 2012, 14:39 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-5: IMITATION Brumbie!
5 Nov 2012, 14:39 pm
@Slappes-6: They cleverly didn’t dismiss him but it seems to me that they’ve got a lot to answer for…and the more I read about this the bigger the rat I smell.
5 Nov 2012, 15:16 pm
Sort it out, the lions improved in leaps & bounds on the field. Results didn’t go there way, but the man got the best out of some average players.
SA needs a coach of his caliber that is different to the rest.
5 Nov 2012, 15:22 pm
Just read the article on SuperSport. How can the Lions be so inept? The administration have taken what should be a powerful union & pissed it down the drain. And after all the damage they have done, they continue to be shown to be underhanded incompetent fools. All the money being spent on lawyers to cover up their incompetence & they wonder why they are broke…
Jhb deserves better.
5 Nov 2012, 15:37 pm
Absolutely.
5 Nov 2012, 15:42 pm
@The Bill-10: have you read anything that suggests that Mitchell’s suspension has something to do with the Kings?
5 Nov 2012, 16:15 pm
Good luck to him and his team wherever he does the coaching in SA.
5 Nov 2012, 17:23 pm
@TheBill , Why won’t the useless lionss disclose anything? More shambles and patheticness to be exposed very soon I think.. JM has instructed his lawyers to file an urgent application in the Labour Court. The ***** about to get real for the lions…
5 Nov 2012, 18:33 pm
Decent guy that Johan Ackerman is, South African rugby cannot afford to loose John Mitchell.
Certainly a poor reflection on GLions administration.
5 Nov 2012, 18:38 pm
All you bright sparks on this site. I am very curious when it comes to the loan of players. How does that affectt the secrets of a particular team’s dimensions. Those sectet calls and moves. Almost want to call it intelectual property.
Just wondering.
5 Nov 2012, 18:44 pm
@cuntlyn-16: Excellent question.
I’m wondering too, now.
5 Nov 2012, 19:11 pm
This is board room gamesmenship from Mitchell as he had to have signed with Sale Sharks for them to be flying him from South Africa to Manchester to Montpellier and back and to be sitting next to the owner of SS.
For crying out loud this is so obviously a retreat from Mitchell to “show” he has no contract as coach when in fact he is Director of Rugby.
What the LIONS need is a CEO with a set of brass twins to pick up the slack as this oke MOGGEE is living up to his name as the acting CEO and he clearly is acting.
Next up must be a Boswell & Wilkie big top tent at Ellis Park.
Mitchell is on thin ice and the bugger should be shoved into the deep end – but get a mutherphucker that can swing a bat and put an end to this Strictly *** Dancing with the coaches.
Mitchell – SAYONARA
Which reminds me where the ***** is **** Muir in this asylum.
Kevin my dear boy you are behaving like a powder puff instead of a freekin lock of note.
5 Nov 2012, 19:30 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-17:
Let’s see who will give us the clues
5 Nov 2012, 20:46 pm
@cuntlyn, nothing stopping players from divulging their ex team’s secrets. Loan players included. New employers, new money, no secrets.
5 Nov 2012, 21:28 pm
@Slappes-20:
Thanks. I understand that. I just wonder how significant it becomes when players return to their contracted unions. For instance, if Nienaber is such a brilliant defense coach. Are there any secrets to it? Secrets to take back home.
5 Nov 2012, 21:54 pm
Stabbed in the chest by a burglar, stabbed in the back by his bosses. Mitch is tougher than tungsten.
5 Nov 2012, 22:10 pm
@cuntlyn, wouldnt be worth much though – rugby is always evolving and nienaber/ wp have to keep changing systems , calls etc. All teams do this.
5 Nov 2012, 22:12 pm
@TheTackler-22:
> Stabbed in the chest by a burglar,
> stabbed in the back by his bosses.
Stabbed in the a.ss by his lover
> Mitch is tougher than tungsten.
His cinnamon ring too
5 Nov 2012, 22:34 pm
@victoriabok-24: You’d better have a good lawyer, pilgrim. And a strong jaw. To compensate for your patent weakness of brain.
6 Nov 2012, 02:15 am
@TheTackler-25:
No secret that he bats for the other side
Pilgrim?
Luister John Wayne jy bly in NZ, nie in die Wilde Weste nie
Sê eerder “Fash and Chups”
6 Nov 2012, 02:27 am
This whole case turns on the fact that Mitchell requires permission from his employers – the Lions- to do or make any media statements.
Even if Mitchell told Sale Sharks that he did not fly with them to Manchester or Montpellier 2 weeks ago- he still commented & was paid for his time at SuperSport – during the Super Rugby tournament – without the Lions permission.
Game over John. Shake de Klerks hand and walk away.
6 Nov 2012, 06:24 am
@TheTackler-22:
Is this the same tough nut that sobbed-when-he-was-robbed?
I hear he likes it in the back door
6 Nov 2012, 07:14 am
@cuntlyn-19: @Slappes-20: @Slappes-23: Thanks guys, agree that not much can be done about it.
Sad but a fact of life I suppose.
6 Nov 2012, 07:25 am
@Gordon Gekko-28: They say that about you too, and psychologists call it “projection”.
6 Nov 2012, 07:27 am
@victoriabok-26: Worried, pilgrim? Mitch has a killer left hook and a very good lawyer.
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.