Hamilton and Nutt to share Abu Dhabi Saracens top job

Matt Jones - Editor 23:39 12/06/2015
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  • Steve Hamilton (pictured) will share the coaching job with teammate Craig Nutt.

    There will be a degree of familiarity for Abu Dhabi Saracens next term with players Steve Hamilton and Craig Nutt taking dual coaching responsibilities following the resignation of Ali Thompson.

    The duo expressed an interest in replacing the Scot, who stepped down on May 19 saying he wanted to spend more time with his young family, and club chairman Jay Danielson confirmed the appointment of Hamilton and Nutt at the club’s AGM on Wednesday.

    – UAE: Jeremy Manning steps down as Abu Dhabi Harlequins coach
    – UAE: Xodus Wasps searching for new coach after McEwen steps down
    – UAE: Outgoing Dubai Exiles coach believes club is in safe hands

    After the high of winning the West Asia Club Championship a little over two months ago, Sarries have since had to contend with the exit of first the man that coached them to glory, Thompson, and the man behind the club’s emergence four years ago, former president Dave Jackson, who has also left the club since that March 20 milestone.

    It’s a new era for the Al Ghazal club, but Danielson insists the club will not take a step back in 2015/16 and he is determined for Sarries to continue their upward curve.

    Ali Thompson was voted coach of the year at the UAE Rugby Awards in April.

    “Both have the trust, understanding and respect of all the players and administration at the club and it’s a case of consistency, familiar faces and the fact we’re not brining in someone entirely different means less distractions,” said the 37-year-old Australian.

    “It’s a new era for Sarries. There have been a lot of changes, but it doesn’t mean we’ll be taking a step back or things are going wrong.

    “Everyone is keen to move forward and we’re still going to set our stall out to be a match-winning side next year.”

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