WARRIORS head coach Carl Hogg insisted the appointment of Gary Gold as the club’s new director of rugby was instigated by him.
The former Scotland, Edinburgh and Melrose back row admitted the Sixways side’s poor run of form over the Christmas period led him to make a decision that was ‘best for the club’.
But Hogg, who held the Worcester reigns for six months, insisted he will still play a key part in Warriors’ long-term goal of becoming a top six Premiership outfit.
“Gary’s come in to give us some direction and vision and I’m going back to working with the squad day-to-day. We’re obviously not where we want to be and need to start climbing the table, so it’s something I instigated,” said Hogg.
“The Christmas period didn’t go according to plan, so I sat down, reflected and made a decision that was best for the club. It allows me to roll my sleeves up and go back on to the shop floor to do more coaching and be more hands-on.
“Being a director of rugby is a different skill set to that of a head coach. I’ve learnt a huge amount over the last six months and it’s been something that will stand me in good stead for the future.
“Over the last four years since coming to Worcester Warriors, the aim has been to build a sustainable top six Premiership club and that’s still my goal.
“But Gary will bring a fresh set of eyes to the club. He’ll come in, galvanise the group and show us the way forward. He knows quite a few of the South African boys here and was down in Bath too, so knows Alafoti Fa’osiliva as well. He’s got an idea of the personnel within the squad.
“I see Gary being at Sixways for the foreseeable. He understands the challenges that sit in front of us and the magnitude of them too. Having spoken to him, I know it’s something he’s relishing.
“Consistency has been a key challenge this season and that’s something we’ll look to rectify under Gary’s guidance. This rugby club is in very strong hands and we look forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”