Richard Cockerill replaces Mike Ford at Toulon after head coach leaves club by mutual consent
Tuesday 4 April 2017 22:55, UK
Mike Ford has left Top 14 side Toulon by mutual consent after six months in the post with Richard Cockerill taking over as head coach until the end of the season.
Ford had been given the job last October but failed to make an impact as Toulon were knocked out of the Champions Cup quarter-finals by Clermont last weekend.
Cockerill, the Toulon forwards consultant who will be taking the reins at Edinburgh next season, will be assisted by Marc Dal Maso.
Matt Giteau has agreed to coach the backs while continuing in his playing role.
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Former France international scrum-half Fabian Galthie has already been announced as Toulon's new coach for next season.
After being initially recruited as an assistant coach, Ford took over from Diego Dominguez in October last year following the club's poor start to the season.
A brief statement from the Top 14 side read: "Toulon rugby club and Mike Ford have parted company by mutual agreement as of Monday."
Ford's exit comes after pressure began to mount following Toulon's 29-9 Champions Cup quarter-final defeat by Clermont Auvergne on Sunday.
Cockerill was brought into the Toulon backroom staff by Ford three months ago, just four days after the former England hooker had been sacked by Leicester Tigers.
Toulon are preparing for a crucial Top 14 match against Toulouse in Marseille next weekend.
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