O'Toole: We resisted but Dean wanted out - The Worcester Observer

O'Toole: We resisted but Dean wanted out

Worcester Editorial 6th Jul, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

CHIEF executive Jim O’Toole insists the decision for Dean Ryan to depart Warriors was completely ‘driven on his side’ which forced the club to release him from his contract.

O’Toole admitted Ryan had made it ‘crystal clear’ he didn’t want to be at the Warriors helm at a board meeting last Tuesday and despite the club strongly resisting Ryan’s wishes, they were unable to dissuade him.

But O’Toole has slammed rumours Ryan could be set for a move to Bath following a row over the Sixways playing budget, saying the former Bristol, Gloucester and Scotland coach ‘100 per cent’ will not be joining another Aviva Premiership club.

“The decision for Dean to depart was driven on his side. He had made it very clear to us he no longer wished to be a day-to-day director of rugby at a Premiership club,” said O’Toole.




“The statement we released two weeks ago was in response to speculation of Dean moving to another club. We reiterated he was under long term contract with us.

“But the situation with Dean escalated at a board meeting last Tuesday afternoon, where he made it crystal clear he no longer wished to be the director of rugby at this club.


“We debated the issue long and hard and were resistant to the idea because we were delighted with the job he was doing and had done over the last three years.

“We saw no reason why he wouldn’t continue in the role as we go into the new season, but the longer the meeting went on it was clear we were not going to dissuade him so reluctantly released him from his contract.

“Dean leaves with our disappointment but with our best wishes and I want to make it clear he will not be moving to another Premiership club.

“I also want to make it clear it’s 100 per cent incorrect we couldn’t provide Dean with the money he wanted. We’ve committed to a 25 per cent increase in our rugby budget for the 2016/17 season. There’s no shortage of money,” he added.

Moving forward, Warriors’ senior management team will consist of head coach Carl Hogg and high performance director Nick Johnston, both of whom will report to O’Toole.

“We now enter a new era under Hogg and Johnston but will continue business as usual with just one employee having left us. This club has never been about one person.

“We don’t have a five-year plan. We have a long term business plan to make this club a top six Premiership team and a side that can succeed and challenge in the European Champions Cup.

“We’re happy with where we are on and off the pitch and we’re looking forward to the new season ahead,” he added.

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