John Mitchell is seeking a drastic improvement after becoming the new director of rugby at Premiership strugglers Sale Sharks.
Mitchell, who coached the All Blacks at the 2003 World Cup, effectively replaces Bryan Redpath as the man principally responsible for the Sharks first team.
Redpath, formerly the club's rugby director, remains as head coach on the four-man strategy management board with chief executive Steve Diamond and businessman Ian Blackhurst.
Vital input
Former hooker Diamond will now be able to step back having taken a more hands-on coaching role since the revamp was announced, but Mitchell has stressed others will have vital input.
Mitchell added: "I am responsible for the rugby programme now but it is about a coaching group. I think the days are gone where one person has to do everything.
"But certainly somebody has to be responsible for the rugby programme.
"It allows 'Dimes' to get back into the business of the organisation. I'm fortunate in that I can cover the whole game.
"I will be involved in the (team selection) process and I will have a major decision. It will still be a collective decision but ultimately when we leave the door I will responsible for that decision."
Mitchell is not anticipating any problems in working with Redpath. He said: "Bryan is a very thorough, very capable rugby coach. He is a very good thinker on the game.
"I think he has had a lot of pressure put on him because he has been almost on his own.
"We're very fortunate 'Dimes' has got good forward experience. I've come in and offered a few things. Now I am fully involved I can contribute to that coaching group with the experience of Bryan and Steve."
Mitchell was contacted by Diamond earlier this season and initially did some consultancy work for the club before accepting a position.
He is now relieved to be able to come to the Premiership and work free of the acrimony that marred the end of his successful spell with the Johannesburg-based Lions.
Mitchell said: "I was found innocent on all allegations. I could have carried on there for another two years contractually but emotionally, because of the situation I was put through, unfairly in my view, it was time to move on.
"But I was very fortunate to win a Currie Cup for the first time in 61 years with them. Bringing them silverware was a special memory so I hold that very closely.
"I was very fortunate to be able to mutually agree to have the flexibility and become a free agent and now I am standing here."
