Kafer quits Saracens

Saracens today confirmed the departure of head coach Rod Kafer and named Steve Diamond as his replacement.

Australian Kafer resigned following a series of results in the Zurich Premiership which have come up short of expectations, claiming he was eager to pursue “opportunities elsewhere”.

Diamond has left his role as rugby manager to take overall responsibility for the team.

Saracens currently stand eighth in the 12-team top-flight, with just four wins from their opening 11 matches of the season.

Former Wallaby Kafer stood aside after less than 18 months in charge, having been appointed as successor to Wayne Shelford in August 2003.

The former Wallaby quit his playing duties to take on a full-time coaching role, but success has been in short supply.

Kafer said: “Following discussions about extending my time at Saracens until the end of the 2007 season, I came to the conclusion that my preference was to seek opportunities elsewhere after completing my current contract, due to expire in May 2005.

“In light of this, chief executive Mark Sinderberry and I have decided that it is in the club’s best interests that I stand down as head coach immediately.”