Eric Elwood: To leave Connacht at the end of the current season
Related links
Teams
Also see
Eric Elwood is to step down as coach at Connacht at the end of the season after three years in charge in Galway.
The shock move comes just over a week ahead of their second ever Heineken Cup campaign - and after beating Leinster in the RaboDirect PRO12.
"I have come to this decision after thinking long and hard about what is best for me and also what is best for Connacht. I have given a big part of my life to Connacht Rugby and I feel that it is time for me to have a change and time for the province to have a change as well," said the 43-year-old.
"I want to stress that this has nothing to do with any on field issues or performances or anything off the field. Connacht has progressed enormously in the last couple of years and I can only see that continuing but for me personally the time is right to step aside at the end of this season and let someone else take things on.
"It is a decision that I have not made lightly and it's an emotional one but again I would like to make it very clear that it is my decision and no-one else's. I have not been under any pressure to step down and I have always received great support from the IRFU, the Professional Game Board and everyone involved with Connacht."
The former Irish international informed Connacht CEO Tom Sears of his intentions some time ago. Other members of the Connacht management were informed last week.
It's been reported that former Ireland boss Eddie O'Sullivan is favourite to take over.
Comments
seapointer says...
@leinster_goy "two consecutive years in the Heino and the improved league standings speak for themselves" ............they only qualified because leinster won the H cup - not down to elwoods "coaching brilliance"
Posted 14:53 03rd October 2012
melkdave says...
Now that is a crying shame imo,Connacht have made alot of progress under his stewardship.Given the problems they face every year thru IRFU policy,they have been quite frankly outstanding,as a team.Its also god to note that some of their players now are getting international recoginistionby being called up to the national squad.In times past those players would have been forced to sign for Leinster/Munster,lets hope the next Connacht coach can build on this legacy from Elwood.
Posted 12:04 03rd October 2012
seapointer says...
a break is as good as change - - - Elwood didnt do great in the post so good he is going
eddie would seem to favour a EPL roll tho.
maybe a new irish manager to rise to the fore - McLaughlin the badly treated last years ulster coach would be my favorite and am a leinster man
Posted 11:40 03rd October 2012
leinster_goy says...
elwood has done a great job out wesht. during his tenure, connacht's try count has increased markedly and their defence has tightened up (tries against hugely decreased). two consecutive years in the Heino and the improved league standings speak for themselves. last week's tonking of Leinster was proof, as if it were still needed, that connacht are no longer the whipping boys of the celtic league (although credit has to go to michael bradley too, who laid a lot of the foundations for this improvement in fortunes)
so given the huge strides they've made, why on earth would they appoint eddie o'sullivan
Posted 11:06 03rd October 2012