Sale Sharks have officially announced the appointment of Marco Bortolami as their new head coach. Bortolami, a former Italy international with 111 caps, will collaborate closely with director of rugby Alex Sanderson. This strategic move follows the departure of Paul Deacon, who had been with the club since 2020.

Bortolami, aged 45, brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as head coach at Benetton in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Although his contract with Benetton was set to run until June 2026, it was mutually terminated early, allowing him to join Sale Sharks at the end of the season.

During his illustrious playing career, Bortolami spent four years with Gloucester in the Premiership and captained the Italian national team. His transition into coaching began in 2016, immediately after his retirement from professional play. He initially served as an assistant coach at Benetton before ascending to the head coach position.

"I'm really excited and honoured to be part of this family," Bortolami expressed on the club's website. "The club has been building for the last few years, and to have the chance now to come and contribute is unbelievable."

Sale Sharks have consistently performed well in the Premiership, finishing in the top four in four of the past five seasons. However, their last championship victory dates back to 2006. With Bortolami's appointment, the club aims to bridge the gap and clinch the title once again.

Alex Sanderson, Sale's director of rugby, emphasized the significance of this appointment: "This is a huge coup for the club because Marco is an international-level coach. But that's the level that our coaching needs to be at because that's the kind of team we've got here."

Bortolami's extensive experience and strategic acumen are expected to play a pivotal role in Sale Sharks' quest for Premiership glory. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his leadership will shape the team's future.