NEWCASTLE Falcons will not be sacking head coach Alan Tait, despite the club's worst ever Aviva Premiership season.
The Journal can reveal Tait and assistant coach Paul Moriarty will be kept in their current roles, with the club also looking at the possibility of bringing in additional outside help to bolster the management team.
Front-row coach Micky Ward is expected to continue on a part-time basis despite his playing contract having come to an end, with head of strength and conditioning Andy Smith also remaining in place.
Falcons' chairman Dave Thompson confirmed: “I have no thoughts whatsoever of changing the head coach or assistant coach – and it would be crazy to do so.
“We always knew what we were getting with Alan and Paul, and it is very much a long-term project.
“Alan is learning all the time, and he will have the chance now to shape a squad based on the players he wants to have at the club.”
Tait’s sole season in charge saw just four league wins from 22 games, with Newcastle only hanging on to their top-flight status on points difference courtesy of Northampton’s comeback win over Leeds on Saturday.
Thompson added: “When Alan took over last May the bulk of the players for this season had already been signed by Steve Bates.
“Alan will now have the chance to put his own stamp on the squad he wants.
“We are in discussions about looking for additional coaching resources, but that would be very much in conjunction with Alan and Paul and adding to what we already have in place.
“The key thing is to get our player recruitment nailed down, and now we are secure in the Premiership we can really push on with that.” Tait reinforced his desire to hold on for a second season, stating: “I am still keen to keep going.
“I love the club and I am passionate about making it a success, but I am going to sit down and look at my own performance.
“I was not thrown in there – I accepted the job and I have tried to build a staff around me.
“In the cold light of day I need to look at how I have performed in the role, and how the people around me have done.
“The players do as well, and we will move on as a club.”
