Steve Diamond: Ex-Sale director of rugby appointed Edinburgh 'lead rugby consultant'
- Published
Steve Diamond is set to replace Mike Blair as Edinburgh's head coach
Edinburgh have appointed former Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond as their "lead rugby consultant" until the end of this season.
Head coach Mike Blair announced last month he was stepping down from his role at the United Rugby Championship club when the campaign ends.
Edinburgh managing director Douglas Struth says Diamond will provide "additional leadership and insight".
Blair will remain as part of the coaching set-up.
Struth added: "With over 20 years of coaching experience in professional rugby, Steve will also play a key role in setting up our pre-season preparations for the upcoming 2023-24 campaign, ready for a new head coach to arrive and hit the ground running.
"I'm sure all Edinburgh Rugby supporters will join us in welcoming Steve to the club as he takes charge of match preparations in just over a week's time."
Diamond coached Sale from 2012 to 2020 and was latterly in charge of Worcester Warriors until the club entered administration in 2022.
Diamond was still heading a consortium looking to take over failed Worcester until as recently as 1 February, when rival bidders Atlas were appointed by the club's administrators as their new owners.
The 55-year-old's first game in charge is a trip to Connacht on 25 March, with Edinburgh currently sitting 12th in the URC table and facing an uphill battle to reach the play-offs.
The club also face Leicester in the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup at the end of the month.
"I'm really excited to take on this role until the end of the season," Diamond said. "Edinburgh Rugby is a club with great tradition and history and provides an opportunity to coach in the BKT URC.
"From the outside looking in, Edinburgh Rugby is a club on the rise. The talent is there, the fanbase is there, while there seems to be a brilliant buzz around the city with the team moving into its new home.
"I'm really looking forward to linking up with Mike [Blair], the coaching staff and the players next week."