'When players haven't had access to a quality backroom team ever, it does take time'

Bernard Jackman says he has “no regrets” over his time in charge at the Dragons.

The former Ireland hooker took charge in summer 2017, but was sacked last month, midway through a three-year deal with the Welsh region.

Jackman won 11 of his 44 matches with the Dragons, but insists he’s left the club in a far better place compared to what he inherited.

“It was a rebuild project and it is still in a rebuild phase, but it is in a much better place than when I got it. We didn’t get the results quickly enough and as head coach you have to take responsibility for that.

“We looked to keep the best people in the Dragons, which we did and bring in the best coaches, which we did. When players haven’t had access to a quality backroom team ever, it does take time. I’m confident the right structures are in place.” he told 2fm’s Game On.

“I like to think I have a growth mindset. If you look back and say, ‘I wish I had more time’, it will affect your ability to learn from the next challenge.

“In any job in rugby, you don’t know how long you will be there. I have no regrets. Obviously there is frustration around the results, but you have to work hard and be patient.

“The big thing for me was I could see development in the players from day-to-day.”

Watch: ‘The Dragons Lair’ – Behind the scenes with the Dragons

The former Grenoble head coach is just 42 and is keen to get back into coaching and hasn’t ruled out a role as an assistant.

“I’m very young for a head coach but I’ve already amassed great experience in two different countries. We’ll wait and see what happens over the next few months. If a good opportunity comes up, we’ll look at it, and if not well I’ll go down a different route.

“I would like to get another crack at it. I’m definitely a better coach now than I was last year.

“Because I got a head coach role so quickly, I perhaps missed out on the opportunity to have a mentor or a figure to guide me through.

“As an assistant coach, you just worry about a certain area of the game. That’s what I started off doing in Grenoble. If it was the right club, and there was the opportunity to be an assistant to a good head coach, we’d definitely look at it.”