1
'Is it the biggest club in Europe? Well, it's not... but it's been a great project for me'
By PA
Richard Cockerill hopes to extend his Edinburgh contract beyond next year. The ex-Leicester boss arrived in the Scottish capital on a two-year deal in 2017 and signed a two-year extension before his first season was finished.
The former England international has made a major impact, leading Edinburgh to three European quarter-finals with this season’s campaign unfinished, and guiding them to top spot in Guinness PRO14 Conference B before the coronavirus pandemic forced a suspension of play.
In an interview about his future plans on the PRO14 official's website, the 49-year-old said: “I’m just trying to get everything right for the near future. I’ve never been a coach – or a person – who thought ‘where will I be in three years?’
“I was an amateur and had a job before I was a professional and I’m a big believer in working hard now and get what’s happening in front of you right and things will appear at the right time. I left Leicester and then had an opportunity at Toulon. I’d have never thought in a world that I’d have been head coach of Toulon and to take them to a French final, where’s that come from? Things happen.
“I’m happy here because we’re moving in the right direction. Is it the biggest club in Europe? Well, it’s not, but I’ve said that since the day I got here. I’ve made no pretence about that whether I’m talking to my own players or trying to recruit players – it’s been a great project for me, I feel like I’m only halfway through it.
“I’m contracted to 2021 and I’d like to see myself here for a couple of years after that, that’ll be six years and then we’ll see. I’ve not craved or looked to go somewhere else.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
Which people exactly?
Go to commentsWas anything but fine margins, the scoreline was flattering for that game. They were beat in every margin but most emphatically be effort of Argentina. They were slow and likely arrogant in their prep following the England series. You can see the effect on the selection and poor messaging all the playmakers started receiving from the coaching setup there after.
Otherwise though there was also a lot of really good stuff that can too easily be labelled as lucky by people intent on making a point. The team was far from certain and clinical though and the best that can be said of their losses was that they were largely due to some atrocious decisions with cards twice against SA and the neckroll last weekend (you can't take away the 14 point try, that is typical French rugby and to be expected).
This team is good enough to be able to cope with those sorts of difficulties if they could just execute a bit better (but only as well as they have traditionally mind you). Sound selections aside. Some good positivity in this article but we know it's not going to be easy as the ABs have just been trying to return to their DNA after Fosters control but countries like Aussie have a much bigger task in that respect and SA is even trying to change their DNA (again). Those two opponents (along with France obviously) are going to provide some tough competition in seeing who can lead into the 2027 RWC with the best prospects and form behind them.
Go to comments