Johan Ackermann has signed a new contract to extend his tenure as Gloucester head coach.

Ackermann has been at Kingsholm for less than two years since moving from South Africa’s Vodacom Super Rugby outfit the Lions.

His first season saw the Cherry and Whites reach the European Rugby Challenge Cup Final and qualify for this season’s Heineken Champions Cup. During his second season at the helm, Gloucester  finished in third place in the Premiership table, compared with seventh 12 months ago.

‘The past two seasons have been incredibly enjoyable for me and I feel very proud to be a part of such an amazing club,’ Ackermann said. ‘The passion of the city and the supporters, the way they have welcomed my family and myself has been very humbling.

‘The past two seasons have been tough. We’ve made progress, but the job is far from complete. We are only a certain way along the journey that we are making together, have a lot of hard work ahead of us and a lot to achieve. We are assembling a fine group at Gloucester Rugby, quality individuals which include not just our players, but also the coaches and staff.’

This is our Holm.
This is our Leader.

We are Gloucester Rugby. pic.twitter.com/DMl1ooF8mx

— Gloucester Rugby (@gloucesterrugby) May 29, 2019

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images