Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Saracens win Champions Cup: What lies ahead for Mark McCall

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 14 May 2019 07:43

He's one of the most successful coaches in English rugby history - but Mark McCall remains something of an enigma.

Saracens' Champions Cup victory over Leinster was their third European title in four seasons, making it seven major trophies for McCall since he took charge of the club in 2010.

Known as the 'Silent Assassin' by his players, former Ireland centre McCall is a leader happy in the shadows. But why is the Northern Irishman rarely discussed when it comes to a major international role?

With England looking for a new coach post-Eddie Jones, should McCall's name be in the frame? And would he even want it?

The Rugby Union Weekly team of former England winger Ugo Monye, BBC Sport rugby union correspondent Chris Jones and England scrum-half Danny Care are joined by Saracens and England hooker Jamie George to discuss what McCall does next...

CJ: I don't really get why he's not considered one of the greatest coaches in rugby. Surely if you're the RFU you've got to be thinking this is a man who knows the players, knows the system, knows the pathways, has a great record in one-off games and he deals with all that tension and expectation.

JG: I'm happy with him where he is. It's surprising he's not talked about, as he's got a proven track record and he played international rugby as well. He would be amazing if he stepped into an international role, but we'll try and keep him where he is for now.

CJ: I don't know if he'd want to be the England coach. Unlike loads of coaches out there he never talks about himself, ever. You can't get him talking about his background, his playing career, his hopes or ambitions, anything. It's not about him, it's about the players. We don't know whether he has 'higher' ambitions and wants to coach international rugby. But the contract extension he signed to stay at Allianz Park until at least 2022 would suggest not.

JG: He's a quiet guy but he's also very relaxed around the camp. But when he gets into the rugby side of things he's a very intense man and it's true we call him the 'Silent Assassin'. He's probably the most competitive person I've ever come across and that's infectious for us. He's very clever as well in terms of the messages he gives to the group and he's loved by every single person in that squad.

UM: It's a shame that we even have to ask the question of whether he'd want to coach at the highest level with England. For as big a job as it is, and the honour that comes with it, there's a lot of baggage that would make it less desirable for coaches to want to leave their successful Premiership sides.

DC: Rob Baxter has said it before, he loves being the Exeter coach. If he enjoys it and he's successful, then why can't he do that for the next 20 years? Mark McCall is the most successful coach ever, would he really want to leave? Or would he want to get five stars on the jersey and win even more Premiership titles? The players and fans love him and he's obviously doing something incredible there. If you were in his shoes would you want to leave a legacy, being the best team in England and Europe.

UM: If you look at the age demographic of this Saracens squad: Mako Vunipola, Billy Vunipola, Ben Spencer, Jamie George, Owen Farrell... this team hasn't even peaked and that's frightening for everyone. For Mark McCall, who has laid the foundations and created so much success, I think he'd want to see these guys reach their heights and I'm not sure they're aware of where they can go. It's success from top to bottom and I think he'd want to see the job through. But as for that end date, you just never know...

DC: There's so much pressure with being an international coach and if you don't perform come a World Cup, usually those coaches are shown the door. For Paul Gustard, one big thing for him coming back to club rugby at Harlequins was to work with players every day. With England, he found it hard to have a stint of six weeks to work with players and make them better but then he wouldn't see then for five months. He loves being there on the training park every day and trying to win things. Maybe that's what Mark McCall likes doing.

CJ: English rugby has tried everything with their head coach. They've tried the company man, the number two, the great former player, the big-hitting foreigner, they've never tried the best club coach in the land. But maybe Danny is bang on and it's more trouble than it's worth, and that's why it's suited to a Warren Gatland who knows all about international rugby. But it's a bit of a shame that people like Rob Baxter and Mark McCall don't seem to be in the conversation when maybe they should be.

Read 4947 times

Soccer

Ten Hag: Ratcliffe has 'common sense' to keep me

Ten Hag: Ratcliffe has 'common sense' to keep me

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMANCHESTER, England -- Erik ten Hag said on Friday that he believes...

Betis defender hospitalised after head injury

Betis defender hospitalised after head injury

EmailPrintReal Betis defender Félix Martí Garreta is receiving treatment in hospital after suffering...

Ancelotti on Vini Jr.'s form: This is his moment

Ancelotti on Vini Jr.'s form: This is his moment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti praised Vinícius Júnior on Friday after the forward...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

'Battling' Doncic bounces back as Mavs pull even

'Battling' Doncic bounces back as Mavs pull even

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Luka Doncic cracked a relieved grin and raised his...

Ex-NBA player Davis sentenced in fraud scheme

Ex-NBA player Davis sentenced in fraud scheme

EmailPrintNEW YORK -- Former NBA forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis was sentenced by a federal judge Thur...

Baseball

Brewers lefty Gasser to make MLB debut Friday

Brewers lefty Gasser to make MLB debut Friday

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser is expected to mak...

Trout: Surgery better than waiting, DH-only role

Trout: Surgery better than waiting, DH-only role

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mike Trout decided that having surgery to repair...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated