Northampton’s former director of rugby and Arsenal’s departing manager became tactically stale during their long reigns. Continued success comes down to regenerationLongevity has come up short. Last week’s announcement that Arsène Wenger would leave Arsenal meant this season was the last for the longest-serving club heads in football and rugby’s premierships.Similar to Wenger at Arsenal, Jim Mallinder at Northampton had gone from managing the champions to missing out on a place in the top four for two successive seasons, and the highly likely prospect of a third forced the Saints to sack him in December 10 years after he was appointed their director of rugby. Related: Brad Shields needs to wear a Wasps shirt in anger before England call | Robert Kitson Related: Leinster ready to take their seat at the head of European rugby’s top table Continue readingreadfullarticle
