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'When players haven't had access to a quality backroom team ever, it does take time'
By Online Editors
Bernard Jackman says he has "no regrets" over his time in charge at the Dragons.
The former Ireland hooker took charge in summer 2017, but was sacked last month, midway through a three-year deal with the Welsh region.
Jackman won 11 of his 44 matches with the Dragons, but insists he's left the club in a far better place compared to what he inherited.
"It was a rebuild project and it is still in a rebuild phase, but it is in a much better place than when I got it. We didn’t get the results quickly enough and as head coach you have to take responsibility for that.
"We looked to keep the best people in the Dragons, which we did and bring in the best coaches, which we did. When players haven’t had access to a quality backroom team ever, it does take time. I’m confident the right structures are in place." he told 2fm’s Game On.
"I like to think I have a growth mindset. If you look back and say, ‘I wish I had more time’, it will affect your ability to learn from the next challenge.
"In any job in rugby, you don’t know how long you will be there. I have no regrets. Obviously there is frustration around the results, but you have to work hard and be patient.
"The big thing for me was I could see development in the players from day-to-day."
Watch: 'The Dragons Lair' - Behind the scenes with the Dragons
The former Grenoble head coach is just 42 and is keen to get back into coaching and hasn't ruled out a role as an assistant.
"I’m very young for a head coach but I’ve already amassed great experience in two different countries. We’ll wait and see what happens over the next few months. If a good opportunity comes up, we’ll look at it, and if not well I’ll go down a different route.
"I would like to get another crack at it. I’m definitely a better coach now than I was last year.
"Because I got a head coach role so quickly, I perhaps missed out on the opportunity to have a mentor or a figure to guide me through.
"As an assistant coach, you just worry about a certain area of the game. That’s what I started off doing in Grenoble. If it was the right club, and there was the opportunity to be an assistant to a good head coach, we’d definitely look at it."
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Latest Comments
Come on, RugbyPass. You let a notorious homer grade his own beloved team?
Anyway. I rate Barrett, and I’m one of those who think no one else but him and Mo’unga should have ever dressed the ABs’ 10 jersey as long as both are still active, but he wasn’t a 9.5. Barrett is the best game controller of all contemporary ABs’ first fives. Kiwi fans are obsessed with ball running 10s and many don’t realize, that there are other boxes a “first five” needs to tick, than instinctive genius attacking rugby. The DMac lovers don’t seem to notice, that his poor tactical decisions costed ABs some games this year, granting tries to both Pumas and Springboks. As for BB, just review the miniseries against England earlier this year. In one of the games, Barrett came on the field, and literally turned the tables by putting immense pressure on the English through clever kicking. It’s not sexy, but it wins games and championships. Ask Handré Pollard, who started his international career as a ball running 10/12, and then turned himself into a game controller.
Anyway x2. 10 is a perfect performance, that couldn’t have been better. 10 is Dusautoir in the 2011 RWC finals. Barrett wasn’t next door to a performance, that couldn’t have been better as much as I rate him.
Go to commentsToo many boks held up in when touching down - Siya and Fassi should've scored
At least the line-out is getting better. A good tour but a soft finish in H2 in this game I think
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