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Cape Town - Alan Solomons has been appointed Worcester Warriors' new director of rugby after agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal.
According to the Worcester News website, the 67-year-old South African will take over from compatriot Gary Gold who will leave the club at the end of December.
Solomons joined Warriors to assist Gold in October and has helped the team experience an upturn in fortunes.
They have racked up 38 tries in 11 matches and claimed back-to-back Aviva Premiership victories against Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers last month, and a 23-8 win over London Irish on Friday night.
Warriors chairperson Bill Bolsover said the club's search for a new boss had been "extensive".
“We are delighted that we have managed to secure Alan on a long-term contract," Bolsover said.
“We thank Gary for his hard work and efforts during his year at Sixways and wish him the best of luck with his role at the USA.”
Solomons added: “I have enjoyed my time at Warriors since day one and it has become clear that the club has masses of potential to be successful in the long-term.
“I am hugely excited about being given the opportunity to lead this club and I am looking forward to continuing the hard work to ensure we can build for the future, move up the Premiership table and give the supporters the success they deserve.”
Gold said: “I would like to thank the club for allowing me to bring my contract to an end at this time to begin my role with the USA in January.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sixways.
"I feel the club has taken steps forward over the last year and has the foundations to ultimately be successful. I wish all the players and staff the best of luck in the future.”
Solomons has amassed a wealth of coaching experience since moving into rugby 20 years ago as head coach of Western Province and the Stormers following a successful career in law.
In the early days of his coaching career, Solomons was an integral part of the South Africa coaching set-up as his home country equalled New Zealand’s record-breaking 17 consecutive Test wins before finishing third at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
During three years at Ulster, Solomons led the Irishmen to the knockout rounds of the Celtic League every year, lifting the trophy in 2003. Under Solomons, Ulster remained unbeaten at home in the Heineken Cup for three years.
Solomons became high performance consultant for the IRB in 2007 before taking Eastern Province to three successive Currie Cup division one finals, lifting the trophy in 2010 and 2012.
After a short spell with Southern Kings, Solomons was appointed head coach at Edinburgh where he led the club to the European Challenge Cup final in 2015.
After leaving Edinburgh he worked at Bristol as a consultant before moving to Sixways.
Solomons has also coached Northampton Saints and the Barbarians.
