Mitchell set to end ties with the Force
The Western Force may release coach John Mitchell from his contract to lead the Johannesburg-based Lions into the new Super rugby competition.
Mitchell joined the Lions for this season's Currie Cup and has always insisted he would return to Perth for the last year of his Force deal.
But Lions president Kevin de Klerk has admitted negotiating with Mitchell to take over as their new Super competition head coach.
"We are negotiating with John to remain at the Lions … but this depends on whether there is a way out of his contract and if the Western Force will release him," de Klerk said.
News that the Lions are negotiating with Mitchell, who first opened discussions with the club during the Force tour of South Africa in May, comes as no surprise.
While the Force have not heard officially from de Klerk or Mitchell, they have not ruled out releasing him early.
Chief executive Vern Reid, who gave Mitchell permission to take up the Currie Cup job during annual leave, was non-committal.
"We have been made aware of comments by Lions president Kevin de Klerk and we will be making contact with John as soon as possible to ascertain the validity of any approach for his services before making any assessment on the matter," Reid said.
If Mitchell does ask for an early release, it would bring a satisfactory result for all those involved. Mitchell, who could not be reached for comment, could expect a three-year term at the Lions which would ease the pressure of needing a new job at the end of the 2011 season.
And Wallabies and Force assistant coach Richard Graham is ready and waiting, having already been appointed as Mitchell's successor.
De Klerk told South African website NewsTime he wanted Mitchell to remain at the Lions, but would not put pressure on him.
"John is a man of high morals and values and, similarly to him, we would like to follow the proper procedures for him to remain here," de Klerk said. "I can't speak for him, but it looks as though he is enjoying his time at the Lions.
"If we are able to retain his services it would be a bonus because he is a good coach and it would assist us in recruiting a quality group of players to strengthen the union.
"He (Mitchell) has been an inspiration at the union. The feedback I have received from the players about their experiences of working with John has been very positive.
"The administrative staff also have great respect for him because of his values and professionalism."
Under Mitchell, the Lions have won only one of their four Currie Cup matches.
De Klerk said that if the Force released Mitchell, he would replace Dick Muir with the Springboks backs coach stepping into the director of rugby role.
