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![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
He hasn't gone yet.
He isn't even going!
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
until after his current contract with theis finished.
---------- Post added at 09:07 ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 ----------
I won't have any. Even though we haven't yet got into finals (which may still happen next year!), I have high regard for JM.
/me signs robyn's "I support John Mitchell" sign.
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
Western Force wary as Lions circle coach John Mitchell
* By DALE GRANGER
* From: The Sunday Times
* August 14, 2010 7:00PM
Western Force coach John Mitchell
WANTED MAN: South African Super Rugby franchise Lions is chasing Western Force coach John Mitchell. Picture: Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
THE Western Force is being pushed into a corner over the future of head coach John Mitchell as the Lions stalk in their efforts to keep the Kiwi coach in their Johannesburg lair.
The Force has been generous to Mitchell, its inaugural coach from 2006, whose initial three-year contract was extended to the end of 2011.
After Mitchell's announcement in March, barely into the Super 14 campaign, that he would step down at the end of his contract, the Force allowed him to take leave and join the Lions, a Super Rugby rival, as a coaching consultant for the Currie Cup, South Africa's domestic rugby competition.
It is virtually unheard of in rugby for a contracted coach to be released by his employer to work for a rival team.
Before Mitchell had even arrived in Johannesburg, Lions president Kevin de Klerk told The Sunday Times in May that his union had long-term ambitions for the former All Black coach and was eager to sign him on an extended contract.
Mitchell's manager John Fordham was adamant on Saturday there had been no "formal" negotiations with the Lions over his client coaching the team beyond the Currie Cup.
He said negotiations with the Lions were "part and parcel of what he would do on a consultancy arrangement" and the position had not changed in the past 72 hours.
"Basically, the Lions management has been extremely impressed with John Mitchell's performance there in a consultancy role and the team has expressed an interest that they would like to, further down the track, have an ongoing relationship with John."
However, Fordham emphasised that his client was still contracted to the Force until 2011 and said: "We have not had an offer, nor formal negotiations, with the Lions about him doing anything other than coach the Currie Cup."
Mitchell has not reaped instant success at the Lions, who have lost four of their five games in the Currie Cup and are languishing in fifth position on the ladder.
Nevertheless, both De Klerk and the franchise's chief executive, Manie Reyneke, have repeated their intention of signing him on a long-term basis. As a result, Mitchell's immediate future at the Force is being questioned.
The club may have a tough choice to make between keeping him on for next year's Super 15, or negotiating a settlement to release him from his contract.
Western Force chief executive Verne Reid said yesterday he had spoken to both Mitchell and Fordham, who had both insisted no "formal" negotiations with the Lions had occurred.
Assistant coach Richard Graham has already been named as Mitchell's successor at the Force.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rug...-1225905290590
Hey Lions, how does get f*+ked sound!
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.