Steve Meehan to bid adieu to Bath
Ian McGeehan is on the brink to retaining complete authority over team affairs as a performance director, while Steve Meehan will leave his position as a head coach for Bath, as the season ends.
In 2006, Steve Meehan walked in to Recreation Ground as a backline coach and was later given a responsibility of head coach on temporary basis. His position was confirmed later that year and he led Bath to European Challenge Cup triumph in 2008. Meehan’s
current contract still has a year left to its termination. It has been confirmed that he will be leaving Bath as the season ends. The former Stade Francais coach announced this news today.
Meehan said, “Over the past five years we've developed our style of play, played some terrific rugby, won the respect of all the clubs in the Premiership and challenged some of the biggest teams in Europe.”
Talking about his experience in Bath, he added, “It's been a challenging yet enjoyable period, but the timing is right for me to move on at the end of this season and I wish the team every success in years to come.”
Meehan’s coaching career took its flight in 1999, when he coached Queensland Reds and then moved on as the head coach for Brisbane Cyclone. He has mostly seen wins in his career as a coach and when took on assistant head coach position for Stade Francais,
the club made it to the finals three back to back years.
On the other hand, it is McGeehan’s third spell for a Premiership club as the man in charge. Bruce Craig’s first major signing was McGeehan’s appointment. Craig is looking forward to elevate the salary cap and start making Bath a more attractive club for
international and world class players. Craig, being a multimillionaire is focused on attracting the players from Southern Hemisphere.
On the contrary, Meehan believes that there are a few key aspects in the club that have to be looked after and he deems it as his mission to amend such problems before he leaves. He said, “"However, the key part of this season is now upon us and before I
leave I will be doing everything I can to ensure we are in the play-offs and going for the title.”
Nick Blofeld, the Chief Executive Officer for Bath wished Meehan good luck and was grateful for his services for the club for over the seasons. Blodfeld thinks that with the changing game play and challenges in rugby, everyone in this field has to confront
new obstacles and challenges and it is the reason why Meehan thought that he should try something new now.
Blofed said, “With significant changes at the Club and a new strategy and direction in place, we have mutually agreed that it is a good point for Steve to seek a new challenge and we wish him luck wherever he goes.”
Though, it has been made clear that his job description will not be given to Brad Davis, Martin Haag or McGeehan. According to an official statement of Bath, “We'll be looking to manage team affairs with the resources we've got at the club.”
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