WARRIORS director of rugby Gary Gold has announced he will lead the club in the 2017/18 Aviva Premiership campaign after signing a new contract to remain at Sixways until at least the summer of 2018.
The 49-year-old, who joined the club in January, has steered Warriors to Premiership safety having picked up 17 points in just seven games, which includes memorable victories against Saracens, Bristol and Bath.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first three months at Sixways and I’m delighted to be able to commit to the club on a permanent basis,” said Gold.
“My focus at present is to ensure we finish the season on a high so we’re able to lay the foundations to bring future success to the club,” he added.
Before his move to Sixways, Gold picked up extensive experience at the highest level of the game in the northern and southern hemispheres.
He began his coaching career in 2001 as forwards coach at London Irish, before stepping up to head coach in 2003 for two years.
A stint as head coach with South Africa’s Western Province followed, before he became the Stormers’ technical director and then assistant coach in Super Rugby.
Gold spent four years as part of the South Africa international set-up as assistant coach from 2008, working closely with the forwards as his country beat the British and Irish Lions and won the Tri-Nations in 2009, before dominating their Rugby World Cup pool in 2011 to reach the last eight.
Gold then had an interim spell at Newcastle Falcons before joining Bath as director of rugby in May 2012.
He then took up the same role at Durban-based Super Rugby side the Sharks in 2014.
Warriors chairman Bill Bolsover added: “We’ve been pleased with the progress we’ve made since Gary took over as director of rugby on an interim basis and the players have really bought in to his rugby philosophy.
“Gary has been able to lead the side to some great results over some very tough opponents and we believe he’ll be able to build on his good work to help the club continue to move forward during the 2017/18 campaign.”