FORMER Warriors team manager Alun Carter has launched an astonishing attack on Worcester director of rugby Dean Ryan’s coaching methods.
The scathing outburst from ex-Wales international Carter, who spent five years at Sixways under the reigns of Mike Ruddock and then Richard Hill, before being let go at the end of last season, questions whether Ryan ‘actually cares about this club or more about himself’.
But his comments have been dismissed by the club, who say Ryan is the right man to lead them forward.
Carter, who was Wales’ head analyst when they won the 2005 Grand Slam under Ruddock, is now a sports consultant, while he also works in an advisory capacity for Pontypool RFC.
In his blog post on the Hadron Consultancy Services website, Carter said: “Dean Ryan should give up his media profile and concentrate on where he is losing the thread with Worcester Warriors. He believes in one person alone and does not appear capable of trusting any player or coach to be as good as he is or was.
“He is lost in the world of Dean Ryan, which is a very critical, analytical world that produces some really detailed views on the game of rugby union.
“Ryan has gone into Worcester Warriors with his eyes closed – did he think that Dean Ryan alone could make a difference?
“Having worked at Sixways for five long years and knowing many of the players still involved at the Warriors, they are disparate and incapable of the cohesive performances that brought wins on Friday nights last season. There appears to be a distinct lack of trust between the director of rugby and those underneath him. Coaches and players alike will feel this and carry it heavily.
“Has Ryan been away from the Premiership scene for too long? Carl Hogg has not and neither has Shane Howarth. “They are two very capable coaches and the latter has international experience that only Ryan could dream of.
“Ryan has good leaders within the team – Jonathan Thomas, Chris Pennell, Paul Warwick, Euan Murray, James Percival, Dean Schofield and the newly arrived Argentinians. Is he using them? I doubt it from the way they are playing.
“Ryan has great leadership qualities and is able to talk in detail about the game of rugby union, but that does not make him a good coach.
“Dean has to start trusting people around him. His rugby knowledge and ability is not in question – his ability to coach and get the best out of his charges is.
“Forget your profile Dean, ask yourself some serious questions and start caring about the club and the people within it.”
Warriors chief executive Charles Cameron said: “We appreciate that everyone with a connection to the club will have strong opinions on our start to the season, but we believe Dean has the right focus to lead this club forward.
“Dean has invested in a long-term project at Warriors and it will take time for the side to reap the rewards of the changes he has implemented and the on-going development of his squad.”
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