Steve Diamond linked with PREM rivals as sudden exit opens door

Steve Diamond’s next Red Adair job could be at Harlequins after Newcastle Red Bulls’ new owners left the door open for his departure by starting a search for his replacement just weeks after buying the PREM Rugby outfit.

The Austrian-owned energy drinks giant was linked with Gregor Townsend before he opted to commit himself to Scotland until after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Former Wales coach Warren Gatland has been linked with the club, as has former Wallabies and Argentina boss Michael Cheika, who took Leicester Tigers to within 80 minutes of the Premiership title last season.

Diamond, 56, joined Newcastle as consultant director of rugby in January 2024 and is set to have crunch talks with Red Bull executives about his future at Kingston Park, which, as it stands, is only assured until the end of the year.

So it’s not a surprise that Quins, who are looking to replace Danny Wilson, who has taken a job as part of Steve Tandy’s Wales backroom team, have been linked with a move for Diamond, who is exactly what they need.

The Quins dressing room has for many years been run by a strong group of senior players, Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown, Danny Care and Joe Marler, but they have all retired, leaving a power vacuum in terms of experience and leadership.

Culture-wise, Quins need someone like Diamond to get hold of the dressing room and lead it in much the same way Diamond has done at Sale Sharks, Worcester Warriors and Newcastle – clubs nobody would touch with a barge pole.

Quins general manager Andy Sanger is helping out in the short term while the club seek a more permanent replacement to work alongside Nick Evans, Jason Gilmore, Adam Jones and Gerard Mullen.

A move for Diamond from Harlequins, who visit Kingston Park tonight in the PREM Rugby Cup, wouldn’t go down well with the Newcastle faithful, who have adopted him as one of their own and wouldn’t be a positive start for Red Bull.