Cardiff have appointed Matt Sherratt as head coach following the departure of director of rugby Dai Young.
As revealed by WalesOnline last week Sherratt has been promoted from attack coach and will head up a new look backroom team at the Arms Park.
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Sherratt is very popular among the Cardiff playing group, having enjoyed two stints in charge of the attacks while he has also coached at the Ospreys, Bristol, and Worcester.
“It is a club I feel emotionally attached to,” said Sherratt. “I have been part of the coaching staff in two different regimes.
“This club has done a huge amount for myself and my family and I feel it is time to stand up and repay the club by helping it rebuild through difficult times in rugby. I feel like I have the respect and the support of the players and staff and it is vitally important that we stick together and move forward as a group.
“It is no secret it will be a challenging season with the financial constraints in Welsh rugby But we still have world class players, seasoned Internationals and young hungry home grown players who are desperate to wear the jersey.”
Sherratt will have to appoint a new backroom team with forwards coach T Rhys Thomas leaving to join Gloucester while defence guru Richard Hodges has gone to Zebre. Duane Goodfield has also left the coaching team but former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees will remain.
“We are really pleased to appoint Matt as our new head coach and are confident he is the right man for the job and will rise to the challenge,” said Cardiff chairman Alun Jones.
“Everyone has been very impressed with the impact he has had at the club, during both stints he has been involved, whether it has been the style of play he has employed within the backs, the talent developed or his passion for the club and its history.
“He is not only an excellent coach but a good man. We have made no secret of the fact that next season will be challenging but we believe Matt is the right person to get the best out of the squad, to develop talent from within and rebuild for the future.”
