Alex Sanderson details visit from Sale owner in wake of Saracens loss

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson admits that last Sunday’s record home league defeat to Saracens has doubled his determination to prove his critics wrong.

Sanderson faced calls to quit as director of rugby after the 85-19 defeat to his former club, but he says that he won’t be going anywhere and says that criticism is just part and parcel of the job.

And he says he wants to make amends to those who believe in him, and that anyone in sports management who can’t take the criticism is in the wrong job.

“After the shock and the anger, the curiosity, and then the acceptance of what I could’ve done better, and then criticism is levelled at you, as it has been, as is the job.

“I didn’t reflect on whether I’ve got the minerals, because I know I have. But actually, if anything, the question has motivated me more to reward and give back to those we believe, and to prove the doubt was wrong. It’s just doubled my motivation. I’m honest.

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“It’s horrible, and it’s harsh, not for the criticism, that’s always there. It’s just horrible for the people whom we clearly let down. The criticisms that come with the role, and the questioning that just comes with it.

“But you can’t expect to have and receive the adulation when things are going well, which I have in the past. If you’re not prepared to answer questions and criticism when things aren’t going well. If you can’t carry the load. Don’t accept the job,” he said.

Sanderson says that at 8am on Monday, one of the first messages of support he received was from Sharks owner Simon Orange, who later that evening spent two hours at his house.

“Simon came round to the house on Monday, and we sat for a couple of hours and talked about all things because he doesn’t just want to be kind of a silent partner in owning and running the club he wants to have input.

“He has ideas and suggestions. Some of which are extremely, extremely well-founded because he’s a bit of a genius. So it was a good two hours because he’s on the inside, he kind of knows it all, heavily involved, heavily supportive, and offers suggestions.”

Sanderson, who says he will “put his mortgage” on a positive response, takes inspiration from George Ford, who has bounced back from a series of setbacks throughout his England career.

“I’m unwavering. If I were to turn to anyone for inspiration, it would be George Ford, who’s also been involved in the same kind of criticism and has been through what I am experiencing now.

“Eight times on an international stage, he’s been raised up and dropped in what’s been a very long career. I see this as a blip and something that you have to wear, but not something that I take on personally.

“My belief is that this group’s going to respond and I’d put my mortgage on it, they’re going to, they’re going to have a good performance.”