Steve Diamond, New Worcester Warriors’ boss, says that his Saturday return to Sale is more than just a chance to see an old flame. It’s more like a “dissolution that worked well”.
His son Sam, still the media manager at Manchester’s only professional rugby league club, was left behind.
However, Diamond returned to the game almost a full year after being out of the sport. He joined Warriors owners Jason Whittingham & Colin Goldring from the North West. as lead rugby consultant in November.
Being got rid of head coach Jonathan ThomasDiamond became the Sixways main man last month. Diamond has retained his title of consultant while he waits to become director of rugby at the conclusion of the current season.
And after just two games, Leicester defeats and Northampton defeats, fate has already thrown him a quick back trip to the AJ Bell Stadium.
“I suppose it’s a bit like a divorce,” Diamond told BBC Hereford & Worcester. “I have been there 26 times in the past 30 years. Some divorces end nicely. Some don’t. My divorce was amicable. If they are a good ending, you’re still welcome back to the house.
“Sale now have a younger model to look after them in Alex Sanderson, Worcester, and end up with an older lag like me.
Alex became the Premiership’s youngest skipper at Sale in 2001. After I left Saracens, he went with me to Saracens. He stayed on until 2006.
“We have had a great friendship for many years. The rivalry is evident and Al will admit that it is quite obvious. He has coached Saracens while I coached Sale. More often than not, though, we lost.
“Going up as a rival or an old flame to Manchester, as Sale describe me, is something else, a different experience.
“I had a good year and then came to Worcester to help with tough decisions. That’s what I do well and hopefully that will continue for the next two to three years.
“Sale’s squad and their positions took a lot of time to develop. While I was the leader for a while, many people played a significant role and deserve much of the credit.
“But, you move on to pastures fresh and I’m excited to see what we can do at Worcester in the next few decades.
“But we still have a lot of work ahead. “We have been defeated in the last 2 weeks. Over the next 2 or 3 years, we will see who gets the best deal.
“We want Worcester to be respected both in Europe and in the Premiership”
“The job at Worcester is to produce young talent that will complement the experienced, gritty players we are looking to bring in this summer.
“We want to be recognized in Europe as a highly combative and respected team in the Premiership. These steps must be taken slowly. We will inform everyone over the next month who is going and who is staying, and then we begin the recruitment drive.
“I’m not going be ruthless with this. It will all be fair. Everyone will have the chance to participate and show off their talents. We will be streamlining the squad. We will create a vibrant, healthy environment for next season.
“There are many talented players in this league, but not all of them have reached their potential. They will get that chance in the next three to four weeks.
“Four to five of these decisions have already been made and those who will be leaving have promised that they will be diligent and work as hard possible until they pass them on.”
Steve Diamond was talking to BBC Hereford & Worcester’s Dan Wheeler