JOHANNESBURG – Johan Ackermann announced on Monday he will leave the Lions Rugby Company at the end of the current Super Rugby season.
The 47-year-old will take up a position as head coach with Gloucester in England from the beginning of the new English rugby season.
Ackermann got emotional on Monday when he thanked the union and the supporters for showing so much faith in him when he took over from John Mitchell as head coach in 2013.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment here at the Lions, but I want to give myself an opportunity to grow as a coach and I believe this is the best move for my career,” he said, holding back the tears.
The @LionsRugbyUnion are not only losing a very good coach, they're losing a very good man. It's a big blow. #Integrity @IOLsport
— Jacques vdWesthuyzen (@jacq_west) April 3, 2017
Maybe I’ll get an opportunity to come back to South Africa one day and put everything back into the game here what I will learn in England.”
CEO of the Lions Rudolf Straeuli said: “I honour and respect his decision and wish him all the best. He will be missed but we have experienced coaches in our structures and that will ensure continuity going forward.”
Breaking News | We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Johan Ackermann as the club's new Head Coach from the 2017/18 season. pic.twitter.com/S1MYe5BAwo
— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) April 3, 2017
Straeuli said the union would now look into a replacement for Ackermann. The new coach will take charge of the team for the first time in the Currie Cup competition.
Current assistant coaches Swys de Bruin and JP Ferreira are the favourites for the position, but the union haven’t ruled out the possibility of them hiring someone from outside.