Noel McNamara to remain at Sharks despite coaching change

Noel McNamara will remain in his role of attack coach at the Cell C Sharks, despite the departure of head coach Sean Everitt yesterday.

The South African side parted company with Everitt, who had been in charge in charge since 2020, following their surprise 35-0 defeat to home to Cardiff on Sunday.

"This decision has been made in the best interests of the team moving forward," said The Sharks CEO, Eduard Coetzee.

Former Ireland U20 coach Noel McNamara will remain as attack coach, with the Sharks confirming that Director of Rugby Neil Powell will step in until the end of the season as interim head coach.

"Neil will be ably supported by the rest of our current senior coaching structure, which remains unchanged," their statement adds.

Everitt ends a 14-year spell at the Durban-based franchise, where he had worked with their youth sides, before becoming an assistant coach in 2017, when the Sharks were still in Super Rugby.

And after becoming head coach of their Currie Cup side in 2019, he took over the franchise for their final season of Super Rugby in 2020.

The Sharks finished fifth in their inaugural BKT United Rugby Championship season, losing to the Bulls in the quarter-final, while they've won three of six games to start this season.

Everitt stated: "This is a sad development for me and sometimes the results don't always match the tireless effort that has been put in.

"I have been a part of this union for close on 15 years and I’ve always had the best interests of this team at heart. I leave with no regrets.

"I would like to thank The Sharks for the great memories and the wonderful opportunities that has been given to me at the helm of this fantastic team. I wish The Sharks every success, as the season progresses."