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Cape Town - Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli says that he tried to keep coach Johan Ackermann from moving to Gloucester at the end of the season.
Ackermann confirmed the fears of the franchise's fans on Monday with the news that he would be joining the English club at the end of the current Super Rugby campaign.
"We had a long discussion with Johan. Obviously we wanted to keep him," said Straeuli.
"We honour his decision at the moment and it's an opportunity for us to grow and keep that continuity with the legacy that he is left.
"In everything you would like to keep people and for us it's keeping the stability that we have at the moment in our playing and coaching staff."
Straeuli said that there was no rush in announcing Ackermann's replacement, but his thinking lent weight to the idea that Ackermann's assistant Swys de Bruin could be the man.
"We will consult all stakeholders and hopefully we will make the right decision. We would just like to focus on Super Rugby at the moment. The Currie Cup is the next tournament, so there is enough time," said Straeuli.
"We have a definite culture at the Lions and we will look for that people to fit into that culture. You usually have people right in your vicinity that can do it."
