Melville leaves Gloucester post

Nigel Melville joined Gloucester in March 2002

Gloucester have parted company with director of rugby Nigel Melville with immediate effect.

Melville appears to have paid the price for a poor season which has seen the club fail to reach the Heineken Cup after only five wins since Christmas.

Dean Ryan will take over the running of team affairs on an interim basis.

"On behalf of everyone at the club and the supporters I would like to thank Nigel for his work at Gloucester," said owner Tom Walkinshaw.

"He was part of this club on one of our most memorable days, when we won the Powergen Cup at Twickenham, and I know that moment will be an ever-lasting memory for everyone."

Gloucester is a special club and there have been some great times since I arrived Nigel Melville

Melville, who has been linked with moves to both Bath and Leinster, joined from Wasps in March 2002 and guided Gloucester to Powergen Cup victory in 2003.

That season they finished 15 points clear at the top of the table but lost the inaugural Zurich Premiership final to Wasps.

In 2004 Gloucester ended in fourth and this season they finished sixth, 10 points behind fifth-place Saracens.

The two teams met in the Zurich Wildcard final at Twickenham last weekend with Saracens winning 24-16 to relegate Gloucester to a place in the European Challenge Cup next season.

"We have been through some difficult times this season and maybe something had to happen, I don't know," Vickery told The Citizen.

"We have had some fantastic times in the last few years, I would like to wish Nigel well for the future."

Yet another director of rugby who has to be the scapegoat for the underachievement of his players From L Have your say on Scrum V

Melville had already started planning for the next campaign, signing Mike Tindall, Ludovic Mercier and Peter Richards - who replaces the departing Andy Gomarsall.

However the club recently postponed plans to redevelop their Kingsholm ground until the end of next season.

"I'd like to thank everyone from the players, to the staff at the club and the supporters for their time and support over the last few seasons," said Melville.

"Gloucester is a special club and there have been some great times since I arrived. I wish everyone all the best."

With the players on a summer break, the club say they will take the next few weeks to decide on the future coaching structure.