Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Johan Ackermann leaves club for Japan

Gloucester Rugby Head Coach Johan Ackermann has left the club to take up a job in Japan.

The South African, who has been at Kingsholm for the past 3 seasons, will join Red Hurricanes in July.

The club says it has "discussed a new coaching structure for the playing department, and will make an announcement about it once the appropriate consultations have taken place."

Ackermann leaves after 3 seasons as Head Coach at Kingsholm. Credit: PA

Ackermann joined the Cherry and Whites at the start of the 2017/18 season.

The 49 year-old and led the team to the final of the European Challenge Cup and a seventh place finish in the Premiership at the end of the first campaign.

The club is considering new coaching structure. Credit: PA