Newcastle Red Bulls have parted company with director of rugby Steve Diamond.
The news comes after just one match of the new Prem season which the renamed Red Bulls lost 39-17 at home to Saracens.
As Diamond departs, Neil McIlroy will arrive on 1 November in the newly created role of sporting general manager, with responsibility for all rugby management.
Alan Dickins will take on the role of head coach, reporting to McIlroy, while Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is to become a part-time adviser on strategy and philosophy for the north east club.
Diamond arrived at Kingston Park in January 2024 and led Newcastle through a difficult period with the club stuck at the bottom of the league, managing only two wins from 25 league games.
Previous owner Semore Kurdi put the club up for sale last November, and it was not until August that global energy drinks giants Red Bull completed its takeover.
A whole raft of players have arrived in a short space of time, but this is by far the most significant decision taken by the new owners.
