Ackermann could leave England for job in Japan

Former Lions coach Johan Ackermann has been linked with a move to Japanese club Docomo Red Hurricanes.

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Ackermann has been head coach of Gloucester since 2017 but Rapport newspaper exclusively revealed on Sunday that he is considering giving up his post at the English club despite recently extending his contract until June 2022.

There is no discourse between Ackermann and Gloucester but the financial impact of the coronavirus on the English game is given as a reason for his interest in pursuing a job in Japan.

"The salary reductions at the English clubs due to the Covid-19 pandemic has caused great uncertainty. No-one knows when the English season will resume and what lies ahead in future. Many English clubs will be under financial pressure if rugby is not resumed soon," a well-informed source told the Afrikaans publication.

In his first season at Gloucester (2017-18), Ackermann led them to the final of the European Challenge Cup as well as qualification for the following season's European Champions Cup.

They finished seventh in the English Premiership in the 2017/18 season and third the following season (2018/19). When the current season (2019/20) was halted, they were ninth with four wins from 13 matches.

The former Springbok lock also has success as Lions coach, leading the men from Johannesburg to two runner-up spots in Super Rugby in 2016 and 2017.

- Compiled by Sport24 staff