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Cape Town - The Bulls remain eager to extend the contract of coach John Mitchell.
The Bulls appointed Mitchell in May last year when it was announced that he would become their executive of rugby.
The Kiwi also took over the head coaching responsibilities midway through last year's Currie Cup and has led the Bulls to a few impressive wins in Super Rugby this year.
He is contracted to the Bulls until the end of the 2019 season and in April a report indicated that the franchise was set to extend his contact until 2021.
A contract extension is yet to be signed but the Bulls have reiterated their eagerness to secure the services of Mitchell on a long-term basis.
“We are in the process of doing exactly that and things are still in place for us to do so. We want to retain him. He is high on our wish list,” the Blue Bulls Rugby Union’s president Willem Strauss told IOL Sport on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bulls last week also confirmed that CEO Barend van Graan would leave his post at the end of January 2019.
Strauss, via a press statement, heaped praise on what Van Graan had achieved with the brand: “Barend is not only the leader of the Blue Bulls Company but also a mentor to his management, staff and players. He has embedded a proud culture and heritage, and there is no doubt that his legacy will still inspire us as we move forward.
“Even though it will be sad to see him go, we respect his decision to step back and allow new blood to come in and take over the reins. We would like to sincerely wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
The Bulls are currently 12th on the overall Super Rugby standings, having won five of 13 games.
Their next assignment is an away game against the Sunwolves in Singapore on Saturday (kick-off 13:55 SA time).
