In a move that surprised no one, Stuart Lancaster is no longer the England rugby coach.
After a disastrous World Cup campaign in which England crashed out at the pool stages for the first time in the history of the tournament, Lancaster’s position looked to be on very thin ice.
Things only got worse for him after the tournament, with Lancaster’s big gamble Sam Burgess quitting the sport and reports that England players lost thousands of pounds in bad investments on the advice of the team’s kit man.
Fans took to Twitter to have their say, and most were sad to see Lancaster go.
Lancaster takes responsibility for RWC exit and stands down – always knew he was a honourable man.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) November 11, 2015
Stuart Lancaster is a decent and honourable man. I wish him well. 🌹🌹🌹🌹
— Marina Arnold (@Twickerschick) November 11, 2015
The general reaction seemed to tell the story of a good man, but not a great coach.
No doubting Lancaster's passion, and huge credit for his hard work done on and off the field. A good guy. But the results weren't there.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) November 11, 2015
Lancaster gone. Right decision I'm afraid – going out first round is unacceptable for England. An omnishambles
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) November 11, 2015
Lancaster has done the right thing. Nice bloke but when he'd landed on a winning formula he panicked and went back to Barritt at 12. Shocker
— Joel (@JoelBayliss) November 11, 2015
While others thought Lancaster might set a precedent across other sports…
Stuart Lancaster steps down. England coach takes responsibility for poor World Cup and resigns. It'll never catch on.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) November 11, 2015
Some rugby fans felt that the wrong man had stood down…
Would much rather see Ian Ritchie leave @EnglandRugby than Stuart Lancaster
— Gareth (@Gordy99) November 11, 2015
Lancaster has a six nations to implement changes so what's the hurry? Plus Ritchie chief Exec of RFU has no knowledge of performance systems
— Andy gill (@andyviewssport) November 11, 2015
Seems Stuart Lancaster is the only man with any integrity @EnglandRugby Rob Andrew & Ian Ritchie should take ownership too! #Shameful #Rugby
— Little Philosopher (@peterswannuk) November 11, 2015
And that Lancaster should have been given more time…
Lancaster a decent guy, with decent ideals and a fantastic ethos for England Rugby. He had his long term plans changed. Not ruthless enough.
— John Noble (@GrumpeQuin) November 11, 2015
When has "mutual consent" ever meant anything other than 'step down or be fired'? Lancaster seems like a good coach who had a terrible WC!
— Johann (@JohannRed16) November 11, 2015
Inevitably, fans began to look at who may replace him…
Stuart Lancaster resigns and somewhere in Montpellier Jake White just sported a semi..
— Ben Wessels (@Ben__ZA) November 11, 2015
And @EnglandRugby going out and hiring best available big name is so depressingly Man City. Lancaster was imaginative choice. Need another
— David Edwards (@davidoedwards) November 11, 2015
Stuart Lancaster has stepped down. Cue Nick Mallett doing an interview laced with hints that he's the man for the job.
— Adam Shaw (@AdamDShaw) November 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/LParr94/status/664422995037970432
Rob Baxter, Jake White and Mike Ford all 5-1 favourites to be next England rugby head coach. Sir Clive at 20-1 and Jonny Wilks 40-1!
— Mark Heath (@mark__heath) November 11, 2015
