Newcastle Red Bulls part ways with head coach Alan Dickens after 'mutual agreement', Stephen Jones to take over
Updated 16/03/2026 at 10:19 GMT
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The Gallagher PREM's bottom side Newcastle Red Bulls have opted to make a change before the end of the season. Head coach Alan Dickens was due to leave when the campaign finished, but his departure has been brought forward, with former Wales fly-half Stephen Jones set to take the helm. The Red Bulls revealed a "mutual agreement" had been reached with Dickens.
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Newcastle Red Bulls have parted ways with head coach Alan Dickens after a "mutual agreement", with Stephen Jones to take over until the end of the season.
In a statement, the club said: "Newcastle Red Bulls can confirm that Alan Dickens will leave his role as head coach on Monday March 16, 2026, following a mutual agreement reached at Alan’s request to allow him to pursue other opportunities.
"Alan joined the club in June 2024 and has contributed during a significant period in the club’s development. We thank him for his contribution, and for his work with players and staff during his time here.
"Everyone at Newcastle Red Bulls wishes Alan and his family every success for the future, and the next stage of his career.
"Stephen Jones will assume the role of head coach until the end of the current season."
Dickens originally joined Newcastle to work under director of rugby Steve Diamond but was promoted to head coach when the latter left his position one game into the season.
Former Wales fly-half Jones and current Newcastle senior assistant coach will temporarily replace Dickens as head coach.
Newcastle will hope Jones inspires an upturn in form, with just one win in 10 games in this season's Gallagher PREM.
A 35-14 defeat to Harlequins last time out left them rooted to the bottom of the table on five points as Dickens' tenure reached its nadir.
The 50-year-old did guide his team through their group in the Challenge Cup, with a last-16 clash against French side La Rochelle to come in April.
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It had originally been announced that Dickens would depart at the end of the season, but the Red Bulls opted to make the change sooner than planned.
"I am generally positive as a character," Dickens told BBC Sport last month.
"Yes I was disappointed, I wanted to stay on. But that's part and parcel of professional sport.
"I've enjoyed my time here. Would I like to be involved here going forward? Absolutely yes, but it's not to be."
On his future, Dickens added: "I want to stay in the game and, hopefully, before the end of the season, I'll find somewhere. If not, I'll have to look at other options.
"You've got to stay positive. I won't throw my dummy out of the pram, I'll continue to work hard."
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