Lions reinstate Mitchell

Lions reinstate Mitchell

9 Nov 2012

The Lions have officially confirmed the return of John Mitchell as head coach.

The Lions suspended Mitchell in June after the players complained about his harsh management ways. After a lengthy disciplinary process, which ended earlier this week, the Kiwi coach was found not guilty.

It was expected that the two parties would part ways thereafter. Mitchell was also linked to a job at English Premiership club the Sale Sharks.

However, the GLRU announced on Friday that Mitchell will resume his role.

‘The Golden Lions Rugby Union can announce today [on Friday] that they have met with John Mitchell and have discussed the relevant matters following his suspension earlier the season. John will join the team when they return for their pre-season next week,’ said Lions CEO Ruben Moggee.

Johan Ackermann, who coached the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup during Mitchell’s absence, should continue as assistant coach. He is contracted to the Johannesburg union until the end of 2013.


13 Comments

  • 1.blik: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 15:27 pm

    Awkward!

  • 2.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 15:31 pm

    @blik-1:
    :lol:

    totes awks indeed

  • 3.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 15:48 pm

    How is this gonna pan out? First pre season practice is gonna be fun, jumping castles and fluffy animals all over the pitch… And 2 weeks later JM reverts to peosklapping the living sh@t out them.

  • 4.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 15:51 pm

    @Slappes-3: Good one!!! :-)

  • 5.Daddy: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 16:06 pm

    Big mistake by the Lions. Useless bluddy coach who’s pathetic record at the Lions and the Force speaks for itself.

    The Lions should maintain Ackermann as interim coach and look for someone with more aptitude for coaching than Mitchell.

    Jeez even Pieter De Villiers is better than this guy.

  • 6.gonzo: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 16:06 pm

    This is gonna be funny. I was so sure both parties were hoping the other would blink first and they’d eventually settle with a pay out. Mitch probably got to Sale and remembered how miserable UK winters are

  • 7.grant10: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 16:15 pm

    Great news for Lions and SA rugby in general.

  • 8.Gordon Gekko: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 16:19 pm

    @gonzo-6:

    A Mexican stand off – each with a shotgun to the head.
    Mitchell back pedalled 3 days ago to the media when SALE SHARKS prematurely ejaculated with their release last week that Mitchell was appointed to the Strategic Coaching Board with Diamond and Redpath.
    LIONS on the other hand are trying to defer an egoli handshake to Mitchell for 2013, but likely have him snookered because Mitch would have signed with SALE SHARKS counting on the egoli stipend.
    It is a mess for the LIONS and they come off looking like amateurs with media disaster after media disaster and always on the back foot.
    You have to also feel for Johan Ackerman who now has his Official Head Coach title yanked from him.
    Maybe Deek – All-Is-Forgiven- Muir could step in wherever that rooikop is.
    What games are the Lions to play?
    When are these games and can we as suite holders count on televised coverage of these games for our guests, to get some value out of our losie?
    Which is starting to look more like a horror-losie.

  • 9.Delki: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 20:44 pm

    #5 Actually he did pretty well at the Force. They were the new Australian team given no hope of winning anything but even in their first season took a few impressive scalps. They became quite a strong team and rolled many of the big guns in super rugby, home and away.

    He did very well as England forwards coach in the 90s when they won the grand slam. and the All Blacks were pretty impressive under his guidance. Does seem to have a few man management issues though.

  • 10.Finfan: Reply to this comment
    9 Nov 2012, 23:19 pm

    Good news. Mitchell is a dedicated and good coach. His team won the 2011 CC and judging from recent comments, this is a massive achievement.

  • 11.knormoer: Reply to this comment
    10 Nov 2012, 03:18 am

    He should be part of the Springbok coaching squad

  • 12.DEE DAH: Reply to this comment
    10 Nov 2012, 06:11 am

    A couple of days ago Keo told us that he had it on good authority that JM would not be allowed to rejoin the Lions. An educated guess designed to trick people into thinking he has an inside track? Got that wrong

  • 13.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    10 Nov 2012, 12:40 pm

    He is a d00s … Not as bad as the other nz cannibals.. But still a d00s

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