Former Wales backs coach Rob Howley in the frame to be new Cardiff boss after Dai Young decided to leave troubled club despite being cleared of bullying claims
Former Wales coach Rob Howley backs the frame to become Cardiff’s new boss after Dai Young decided to leave the troubled club despite being cleared of bullying allegations
- Rob Howley is one of the most decorated coaches of rugby in the northern hemisphere
- The 52-year-old has been working with Canada since returning from a betting ban
- Cardiff are in crisis after they confirmed on Monday that Dai Young would be leaving
Rob Howley is the main contender to take charge of Cardiff Rugby as the Welsh region look for yet another new head coach following Dai Young’s acrimonious departure.
Howley is one of Northern Hemisphere rugby’s most decorated coaches.
He was attacking coach with Wales and the British & Irish Lions under Warren Gatland before serving a suspension ban.
The 52-year-old has been with Canada since returning to rugby and came close to returning to Wales and Gatland early this year. Gatland, now back as boss of Wales following the sacking of Wayne Pivac at the end of 2022, wanted to reunite with Howley, but the move was blocked by archaic independent board members of the Welsh Rugby Union.
It was felt Howley’s gambling offenses – which came to light in 2019 – still counted against him, but he has undoubtedly served his time for a mistake he admitted.
Rob Howley (above) is the main contender to take charge of Cardiff Rugby
Mail Sport understands that after missing out on a role in Wales – which went to Alex King instead – Howley is very much considered for the Cardiff job and would like to take it.
He was a central figure in the Wales side, who won four Six Nations titles in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2019, three of them Grand Slam successes.
When Wales won the title in 2013, Howley was head coach while Gatland was on duty at Lions. Howley also has a Lions series win in Australia and a draw in New Zealand on his resume.
His vast experience would undoubtedly be a huge asset to Cardiff at a time when all four regions of Wales are expected to struggle over the coming season due to budget cuts.
Former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones, current Cardiff backup coach Matt Sherratt and interim Wales Under-20 coach Mark Jones are also names to consider.
Cardiff are a club in coaching crisis after they confirmed on Monday that Young would be leaving following Mail Sport’s revelation of his April suspension for alleged harassment. Young denied the allegations and was cleared by an independent inquiry, but the debacle has irrevocably broken the trust between him and Cardiff.
Cardiff are a club in crisis after they confirmed on Monday that Dai Young would be leaving
“The board of directors responded appropriately to the concerns raised and the subsequent process was conducted in a fully independent, professional and thorough manner,” said Cardiff chairman Alun Jones. “It was unfortunate that this took much longer than expected, but this was due to circumstances beyond our control.
“It’s a shame the club and Dai have parted ways, but we are now focused on the future in what is still a challenging time for the Welsh game.”
Given the difficult financial climate in Welsh rugby, it remains to be seen whether Cardiff and Howley can come to a contractual agreement.
But the club needs a new coach quickly with the new season just around the corner and talks with prospective new coaches are scheduled in the coming weeks.