Mitch: The Real Story

The coaching merry-go-round at the Sharks may have contributed significantly to the drain on the franchise’s financial resources.

This, at least, is the view of John Mitchell, in his recently released autobiography – Mitch: The Real Story.

The former All Black, England assistant, Western Force and Lions coach – in an exclusive interview with rugby365 – explained why he said in his book that he “strongly suspect” the Sharks are running out of money.

High-profile figures like Brendan Venter (now back in an advisory capacity again) and World Cup-winner Jake White have come and gone in quick succession in recent years. They also had to pay John Plumtree, when the New Zealander was shown the exit door before his contract had run its full term.

The most recent acquisition is another former member of a Springbok coach panel, Gary Gold – who will take over as a Director of Rugby in January.

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Mitchell, who revealed to rugby365 that he is currently not involved in any coaching set-up and will not take up a second term at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Varsity Shield) team, said he was approached by the Sharks to be involved, but they could not afford him.

That follows on the bomb he dropped in his book, when he said he had several offers.

“My next organisation in rugby, if there is to be one, would be an environment where I don’t have to deal with the bullshit that floats around,” Mitchell wrote in his book.

“I have been approached several times during my sabbatical, among them by the Southern Kings. I think there is potential in the team, but it is just not settled enough. I would not enjoy another Western Force or Lions situation.

“In the South African context, the Bulls and the Sharks seem the most stable of the franchises, but I strongly suspect the Sharks are running out of money, which could be problematic for the game in this country.”

Asked to elaborate on the statement about the Sharks, Mitchell said some of the franchise’s financial issues have been splashed in the media.

“Things like the historical spending and stuff like that have been in the media,” he told rugby365, adding: “Obviously there has also been a lot of changes in coaching staff.

“My particular situation was relevant when they were talking to me about potentially running the junior programme.

“The negotiations broke down because they couldn’t afford it at that particular time.”

The controversial figure said he has not spoken to the Sharks since and has also not taken on a second term with the university, the UKZN Impi, either.

“I am right out of rugby at the moment,” he said, adding: “I just have my business, where I am the CEO of a packaging machine manufacturing company.”

He is also involved as an analyst with a South African pay-TV network.

“I have turned down a lot,” he said, adding: “I am not prepared to change my career.

“I have done it [coaching] for 20 years, this [Pietermaritzburg] is my home and this is where my wife lives.

“You never say never, because you can always be part of the right group, or the right opportunity comes along. However, I am certainly going to be more careful going into an organisation than I have previously been.”