Eddie Jones to quit English premiership club Saracens at season's end

[laura]

Eddie Jones to quit English premiership club Saracens at season's end
From correspondents in London, England
February 10, 2009

FORMER Australia coach Eddie Jones will stand down as director of rugby at Saracens at the end of the season after just one year of a planned three-season stay.

Jones, who will be replaced by former South Africa centre Brendan Venter from July 1, was quoted as saying on the Guinness Premiership club's website that he was cutting short his stay for personal reasons.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to leave Saracens at the end of the current season," Jones said.

"My reasons are entirely personal.

"My wife and daughter have always given me unqualified support but it is now time for me to put the family needs first.

"I have greatly enjoyed my time with Saracens extending back to 2006 and I wish the directors, staff and players well in the future."

Jones, Australia's coach when they lost the 2003 Rugby World Cup final to England in Sydney, had a brief spell as a consultant to Saracens in 2006.

This though was his first year as director of rugby at the English club after acting as an advisor to South Africa coach Jake White during the Springboks' 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning campaign.

Venter, the defence coach at South African Super 14 franchise the Stormers, knows English rugby well from his time as coach of Saracens' premiership rivals London Irish.

Saracens owner Nigel Wray, who has pumped millions of pounds of his own money into Saracens, said: "Obviously we are all very disappointed to lose Eddie, but we are very grateful for all his hard work, inspiration and the terrific structural changes he has made at the club, which will hold us in great stead for the future.

"I know that we will all remain friends and keep in close contact."

Saracens are currently in seventh position in the 12-team premiership.

Agence France-Presse

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

[brokendown gunfighter]

doesnt the family like snow & blizzards?

[tic]

Eddie is now officially unemployable.

Give him a work for the dole job diary.

Karma - its a bitch Eddie.

[beige]

There's always that job at Suntory to fall back on... I don't think there was any truth to the rumour about him joining Wigan RL...

[AndyS]

Maybe he should have a go at soccer.

[beige]

Clive Woodward did it!

[jargan83]

7 Managers out of the 20 sides have been sacked already this season in the EPL

[unipirate]

Not since Rod McQueen have I been impressed with a coach for the Australian Rugby team, until Robbie Deans.

I know he isn't Australian but he just seems to have much better persona than the last two dummkopfs!!

Jones should seriously go back to a smaller league and start from grass roots again! The way he does things now and his view all stink!