Mallinder extends Saints contract
Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder agrees two-year extension
Tuesday, 05, Jan 2010 07:43
By Michael Younger.
Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder has agreed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Franklin's Gardens until 2013.
The new deal is a further two-year extension to Mallinder's current contract, which was due to expire in 2011, and represents a massive statement of intent by the Saints director of rugby ahead of the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership run-ins.
The former England Saxons coach joined Saints in 2007 and led the club back to the Guinness Premiership in his first season in charge, before last year steering Northampton to glory in the European Challenge Cup.
Saints chief executive Allan Robson told the club's official website: "Jim has turned the team around in his two-and-a-half years here and the board and I believe he is in the process of building something very special.
"We wanted to ensure that this can continue, which is why we offered him a contract extension and are delighted he has signed it. I believe all the club's supporters will be as happy as we are that Jim has committed himself to the Saints for at least a further two years."
Northampton sit second in the table, a point behind leaders Saracens, and occupy the same position in a tough Heineken Cup pool that includes Munster and Perpignan.
After signing his contract extension Mallinder said that there is more to come, which is why he has chosen to stay with the club: "We still have a lot of improvement to make as a team.
"The players, coaches and all the backroom staff have worked very hard to be in contention in all three competitions we are in this season.
"But I want us to stay at the top end of the Premiership and become regular contenders in the Heineken Cup over the next three years.
"I believe we can achieve this, which is why I have decided to extend my stay for another two years."