Newcastle Red Bulls part company with Diamond

The Red Bulls of Newcastle have parted ways with Steve Diamond, the rugby director.

The Red Bulls lost 39-17 at home to Saracens in the opening game of the new Prem season, according to the news.

Neil McIlroy will take over the newly created position of sporting general manager with responsibility for all rugby management on November 1 as Diamond departs.

Head coach for Scotland Gregor Townsend will work for the north-eastern club as a part-timer on strategy and philosophy, while Alan Dickins will report to McIlroy.

In January of this year, Diamond arrived at Kingston Park and helped Newcastle get through a difficult time, finishing the league with just two victories out of 25.

Semore Kurdi, the club’s previous owner, sold it in November, and Red Bull, a global energy drink, completed its acquisition of the company in August.

As Newcastle struggled financially with the rest of the league, Diamond, who has previously played prem rugby with the Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors, held the fort.

A number of local players were picked by other Prem clubs and were successful in spite of the salary cap.

Even though Diamond, who had been at Sixways when Worcester went into administration, had always insisted that would not be the case at Newcastle, there were concerns that Newcastle would behave similarly to Worcester, Wasps, and London Irish.

The 56-year-old was praised by the club for his “passion, contribution, and guidance,” but his departure is part of a wider reorganization at Newcastle.

McIlroy will have previous experience with the French rugby league teams Catalans Dragons and Clermont Auvergne, both of which have Top 14 titles.

Rumors were spread about Newcastle’s involvement in the new season before the start of the new year’s season.

He will continue to serve as an advisor to Red Bulls until the 2027 Rugby World Cup. He previously signed a new contract with Scottish Rugby.

Diamond stated on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast that there was always rumors about his position when it was all rife with rumors.

I’ve been able to participate in a process that has given me a task for the next twelve months and probably the best investor in rugby since it’s become a professional.