Confirmed: Marco Bortolami leaves Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have confirmed head coach Marco Bortolami has left the club, four days after RugbyPass first broke the story.

In a statement, the Gallagher PREM club say the Italian’s contract was terminated by mutual agreement ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’.

Bortolami, who won 112 caps for Italy in a 14-year international career, had only been in the job for six months and was let go before last weekend’s win over Clermont Auvergne.

The 45-year-old joined the Sharks in June after leaving a similar role at Italian side Benetton Treviso, but the move never worked out.

“I would like to thank everyone at Sale for making me feel so welcome during my time at the club. I wish the club every success,” said Bortolami.

The club statement closed by saying: “Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Marco for his contribution to the club and wish him all the very best for his future.”

Alex Sanderson chose not to discuss the matter at Wednesday’s media session, which was held before the club confirmed our exclusive on Wednesday evening.

It remains unclear whether the Sharks will start hunting for a like-for-like replacement, but in new attack coach Joe Ford, they already have someone with head coach experience.

Ford was head coach at Championship outfit, Doncaster Knights, before crossing the Pennines to coach the club he once represented as a player.