Mitchell cleared of charges
8 Nov 2012
Suspended Lions coach John Mitchell has been found not guilty after a lengthy disciplinary hearing.
Mitchell was suspended by the Lions in June after players complained about his strict management and coaching methods during Super Rugby.
He was finally announced not guilty by neutral chairman Peter Bam on Thursday.
Mitchell’s representatives at the Fordham Company have confirmed that Mitchell wants to resume his position as head coach: ‘John is elated with the outcome and feels that his position and reputation as an international coach has been fully vindicated. He is looking forward to returning to Ellis Park as head coach to assist the Lions to achieve their full potential.’
However, keo.co.za has it on good authority that it’s unlikely that the Lions will agree to this. Interim head coach Johan Ackermann, who mentored the team to the Currie Cup semi-finals during Mitchell’s absence, is the favourite to take over on a permanent basis.
It’s also unlikely that Mitchell will be allowed to coach a team that called for his suspension.
14 Comments
8 Nov 2012, 12:55 pm
So there we are, back to where we were on Monday.
Nothing’s changed.
Dragons.
8 Nov 2012, 13:54 pm
Mitchell, do yourself a favour and leave those losers to their own demise. Your are better than they deserve.
8 Nov 2012, 14:26 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-1: After being found not guilty of all the charges against him, John Mitchell has been requested to return to work tomorrow as head coach of the Lions.
Sport24.com reports that Mitchell’s lawyer, Brian Patterson, confirmed that the suspension has been lifted and that Mitchell needs to return to his job as head coach of the Lions.
According to Patterson, Mitchell is looking forward to taking the helm of the team, feeling that his position and reputation as an international coach has been vindicated.
It is unknown at this stage whether Johan Ackermann will remain at the union as an assistant coach, the role he held before Mitchell was suspended. There is also doubt surrounding the return of Mitchell’s other assistant, Carlos Spencer.
8 Nov 2012, 14:33 pm
The LIONS have little to no team left as all the upstarts have left for greener pastures.
Mitchell has a contract with SALE SHARKS and will find it tough to resume coaching at the LIONS, unless the LIONS get a full time instead of an acting CEO who can sort Mitchell and the union out as they have been on the losing end of just about everything.
The poor chaps must be punch drunk staggering from one loss to another.
We still don’t know what games the LIONS will be playing in 2013 other than a few confirmed warm ups and 2 promotion relegation matches in July.
This is turning out to be a horror story of note.
8 Nov 2012, 14:38 pm
@Transformation-3:
From what we know is that Carlos Spencer & Wayne Taylor came with John Mitchell and only their contracts had a clause requiring them to coach Super Rugby.
No Super Rugby in 2013, no Carlos & Wayne.
Now to deal with Mitchell.
We do know he cries when mugged and he might feel he is safer at Sale Sharks in the UK rather than at the Jhb Lions.
Tomorrow Friday is 9-11 after all and I wonder whether there will be any handshakes at the meeting. Hello Goodbye.
8 Nov 2012, 15:39 pm
Mitchell must be delighted to go back to coaching players who wanted to destroy him and nearly succeeded in doing so. That is the work envoronment we all crave.
8 Nov 2012, 15:49 pm
@Transformation-3: They called his bluff! Now for a stand off to see who will blink first.
No doubt Mitch is happy to move north rather than coaching what is left of the Lions but was hoping for a pay out. Lions giving him the f’ you and making him come to work. It gets better every day
8 Nov 2012, 16:13 pm
@Transformation-3: Thanks.
Two weeks after the season’s finished he’s told to come back to work.
What a joke!
8 Nov 2012, 17:30 pm
Farkin hell, whats going on at smellispark??? These lions should just fade away into rugby oblivion.
8 Nov 2012, 20:17 pm
he shud let them run shuttles for 6 hrs straight and then tell them to go ffccuuk themselves
8 Nov 2012, 22:53 pm
This saga is so weird…how the Lions farked this up is really beyond comprehension….Mitchell, the pariah coach of the Southern hemisphere fights for a foothold on this side of the globe after getting turfed from Nz & Oz, punch drunk from player revolts and boardroom dissatisfaction should have been easy meat for the Lions lawyers, but he counters and weaves and survives to fight another day……..one thing I give the Mooloo man…he can take alot of punishment…but coaching the Lions seems punishment enough.
9 Nov 2012, 00:39 am
Why did this take so long?
Lets be clear here, there is no ways Mitchell wants to go back to the Lions. It is just a ploy to get a bigger payout. Bet your house on it!
9 Nov 2012, 11:58 am
@Te Rangatira-11:
“……..one thing I give the Mooloo man…he can take alot of punishment…”
Great post Rangi.
9 Nov 2012, 16:20 pm
Can you imagine returning to the team after they did that to you? Awkies!
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