LONDON Irish have parted company with director of rugby Nick Kennedy, the club has confirmed.
Exiles are bottom of the Aviva Premiership and 12 points from safety after winning just two of their 17 matches this season.
Two weeks ago they appointed Ireland's 2009 Grand Slam winning-coach Declan Kidney as a new technical consultant.
Kidney brought his former defence coach, Les Kiss, with him as the club's new head coach.
At the same time Irish severed ties with former player and coach Brendan Venter who returned sa technical director in 2016.
Kennedy had been given the opportunity to work alongside Kidney and Kiss but, after assessing his options, he offered his resignation which was 'reluctantly accepted'.
Kennedy said: “London Irish will always have a special place in my heart.
“This was not a decision that I made lightly as there are a great bunch of coaches and players at Hazelwood.
"I’m proud I helped change the academy from a two star to a five star RFU rating and to have gone undefeated for a season to win the Under-18 Premiership Rugby title.
"I’m proud we won the Championship at the first time of asking, only losing one game all season, and I’m very proud of the players and how they fought to the end of every game.
“I’d also like to thank the fans for their outstanding support over the years, and I hope that they will be enjoying success in the future.”
Ireland's 2009 Grand Slam winner, Declan Kidney.
Kennedy had been director of rugby since summer 2016, having clocked up more than 200 appearances for the club as a players, winning seven England caps.
He re-joined the Exiles as academy director in 2014 aftrer spells with Harlequins and Toulon.
London Irish's president and majority shareholder Mick Crossan led the tributes, saying: “Nick will always be a major figure in the London Irish history books.
“He was an excellent player and we believed that he had a promising career in front of him as a coach, which we had hoped that he would fulfil under the guidance of Declan Kidney and Les Kiss.
"We’re disappointed that he has decided to move on. However, we have accepted his decision and wish him all the best for the future.”
London Irish return to Aviva Premiership action this Saturday when they host Gloucester at Madejski Stadium for the annual St Patrick's Party (3pm ko).
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