The Ospreys have confirmed that Steve Tandy is the new head coach at the Ospreys, replacing Sean Holley who has left with immediate effect.
Talk about this, and all other Welsh Rugby and Ospreys developments, on our Welsh Rugby Forum
Whilst the statement makes no mention as to whether this is a permanent, but rumors have persisted since last night that he would be getting a 3 year contract
He will be assisted by Jonathan Humphries, and will have a further back room team that is yet to be announced.
Whilst this is far from the big name that Ospreys fans will be wanting, it is worth remembering that Scott Johnson was there as ‘Director of Coaching’, and we could well yet see a name being brought in above him into that role. Numerous names have been bandied around, but no rumor seems to have any real substance behind it as yet.
Statements on Steve Tandy as Ospreys Head Coach
This is an excellent opportunity for me and I’m really excited about the challenges ahead. Clearly there’s an air of expectation on whoever is in charge at the Ospreys, but having been here since the very beginning I know what to expect.“The Ospreys are my home region and I was lucky enough to be able to wear the shirt on 102 occasions. When I was still playing I worked hard to develop as a coach and I’ve been fortunate to be at a region that values coach development as it’s allowed me to get some fantastic experience within the Ospreys and at Bridgend.
“I enjoyed taking charge of the team during the LV= Cup and I’m confident in my ability to be able to make a success of this opportunity. It’s a tough job, but I share the Ospreys ambitions and want to be able to play my part in us achieving those ambitions.
“Initially, my focus will be on attempting to finish this season on a high. We are in a good position in the PRO12 with eight games to go, and the target is for us to achieve a home semi-final. We want to maintain both our position as the leading Welsh region and our proud record in the competition, which I was fortunate enough to win three times as a player. I know I’ve got the support of the players, staff and directors at the Ospreys and hope that the fans will also be behind me, starting on Friday night.”
Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer, Ospreys Rugby commented:
“We are delighted to be able to confirm Steve’s appointment as Head Coach. He is a true stalwart of the region having served us so well as a player, and is a straight talker and natural leader who has already enjoyed success as an age-grade and club coach.
“As a business, we’ve had the foresight to invest heavily in development structures in order to make us more sustainable, and Steve has benefited from the coaching pathway we’ve put in place at the region, working his way through the system. He is still young, but sometimes as is the case with players, if they’ve got the ability then you have to give them the opportunity.
“He’s a forward thinker who has his own ideas about how to do things. I know he is excited about the future for the Ospreys, and as a business, we share that excitement. We believe he will be a success in this role, not only helping to take the Ospreys onto another level, but to help with the continued development of other coaches in the region.
“This is an exciting time for Steve, and for the Ospreys, and with the push for the PRO12 semi-finals over the coming weeks, we have everything to play for.”
Following Steve’s appointment he will relinquish his duties at Bridgend, where Ravens flanker and current WRU/Ospreys Regional Community Manager,Ben Rose,will step up as Interim Head Coach until the end of the season, assisted by Backs Coach Craig Warlow and Forwards Coach, Richard Lancaster.
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