Bryan Redpath resigns as Gloucester head coach

Bryan Redpath has resigned as Gloucester's head coach with immediate effect.

The Aviva Premiership club confirmed the news on their official website this afternoon. The 40-year-old, a former Scotland international, has been linked with a move to Sale Sharks following the dismissal of Tony Hanks by the Cheshire club.

A statement on Gloucester's website read: "It is with regret that Gloucester can confirm that head coach Bryan Redpath has offered his resignation which has been accepted by the club's board.

"Redpath will leave Kingsholm with immediate effect after a recent poor run of results which have seen the club slip to seventh place in the table."

Gloucester confirmed that forwards coach Carl Hogg would take charge of preparations for the home fixture with Sale on Saturday.

Redpath took charge at Kingsholm in time for the 2009-10 season having previously worked as the Cherry and Whites' backs coach.

Gloucester finished seventh in his first year, improving to third the following season when they lost in the play-off semi-finals and also won the LV= Cup.

However, Redpath admitted results this season had not been acceptable.

He said: "It's a results-driven business we're in and I hold my hand up and take full responsibility for the fact that we've not performed as well as we should have.

"I've offered my resignation with a heavy heart. I have dearly loved my time at Gloucester. It's a fantastic club in a true rugby city with devoted, passionate supporters. But, I think it's now someone else's turn to take charge.

"There are a lot of people to thank, too many for a press release. However, I must express my gratitude to the Walkinshaw family, Ryan and his father Tom before him, for giving me such a marvellous opportunity here.

"I genuinely think that the future for Gloucester Rugby is bright and I sincerely wish everyone connected with the club the very best for the future."

Gloucester board member Ryan Walkinshaw added: "It is with great sadness that the board accepted Bryan's resignation.

"He's a fine man, a good coach with strong principles and no one could have worked harder to make a success of the role.

"However, he feels responsible for the recent run of disappointing results on the field of play and feels that he has taken things as far as he can. We respect that decision.

"We would like to stress that Bryan's departure is not connected with recent media speculation regarding his future and is based purely on results.

"We would like to thank him for everything he's done for Gloucester Rugby and wish him every success in his future endeavours."

PA