A SIX-MONTH minimum notice clause is believed to be the primary factor in the timing of the announcement of Pat Lam’s departure from Connacht this week.
The escape clause meant that there wasn’t going to be a good time for Lam to make the announcement with the two Champions Cup games against Wasps being followed by derbies against Ulster and Munster before the concluding European pool games in January.
Lam was under contract to remain in charge of Connacht until June 2018 but a clause in the deal when he extended his stay by three years in January 2015 meant that he had to act soon if he was to take charge of Bristol in the summer.
The announcement itself on Monday was difficult enough for Connacht fans to accept but the puzzlement at the timing may be explained by the six-month notice clause.
The process to find Lam’s replacement begins in earnest today when the Connacht Professional Game Board meets at the Sportsground.
Players also return to training today. They were on a day off on Monday when they received instructions to go to the Sportsground, apparently under the assumption of some screening procedure.
Some had to travel from Dublin for the Monday morning meeting at the Sportsground where Lam told them in person he was departing.
One player said there was absolute shock in the room, while Bundee Aki, who recently turned down lucrative offers from France and England to sign a three-year contract extension, didn’t hide his disappointment when he took to Twitter and proclaimed: ‘Feeling pissed’.
The Pro12 player of the season may now face disciplinary action for his outburst to add to the unrest at the Sportsground.
It is understood player also faced disciplinary measures recently when he tweeted an indication that he was about to leave Connacht before a hastily arranged press conference the following day announced that he has signed a three-year contract extension.
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Scousers don’t care about this game. More interested in Utd losing to Spurs.
@Olllie B: No not really you don’t have to be from Liverpool to be scouser. Northern Europe sailors brought a stew recipe to ports in England but mostly Liverpool. The dish was called Lobscouse. Those people in Liverpool who ate it were called Scousers.
Huddersfield fans out in force I see… who knew?
Come on Huddersfield
Well its Huddersfield for me…
If Klopp loses this…he’ll have to walk alone !!
@dannyboy: never!!
@Joe Kennedy: tbf Klopp is a joke at this stage.
But but but No Coutinho??? Ahhhh sure the January transfer window is nearly upon us so his back is probably playing up again
@powerfix: numbskull
If that defence is correct, I give up.
Im not even sure Lovren shagging Klopps missus would put him out of the team, Might be his downfall.
So Lovern’s punishment for being absolutely useless last week and costing his team 2 goals is to be rewarded with another start? The mind boggles
@Brian O’Loughlin: its common knowledge amongst real pool fans that lovern’s Mrs ran off another guy. So idiots here should really give him a break.
$hit happens to everyone from every walk of life. If things happen in your personal life that effect your performance or prevent you from doing your job properly you shouldn’t be there. Would you want a depressed pilot flying your plane? How is putting him in the firing line supposed to help him anyway? If anything it will make him worse
@Mr Nimziki: oh lord. You drop him till his heads right ffs.
@Nial D: so kick a man when he’s down is the answer
Klopp took off Lovren after 30 mins last week but now he’s starting again wttttfff
Sacked by your best man…,you’re getting sacked by your best man … sacked by your besssst mannnnnnnn ..you’re getting sacked by your besssst mannnnnnnnn….
@powerfix: nitwit
@powerfix: Jeez. My 12yr old has more imagination, and he’s far less childish than that. I’d say your parents are very proud.
If we don’t win kiss top 4 goodbye YNWA
@Ollie Watson: that ship sailed ages ago dude. Ye will be lucky to nick Thursday night ball next season.
Well wagner said he best friends with klippty that goal proved it
Is Coutinho dropped?
@Nollaig Elliot: “injured”
Time to get a run going after some recent blips
Glad for Sturidge to score his first goal in two months great player