The capital region have been searching for Mark Hammett’s replacement since the Kiwi coach departed in February. His former assistants Dale McIntosh and Paul John took the helm and steered the Blues to a European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final and a 10th placed finish in the Guinness PRO12.
The duo could be in the running for the Head Coach position that could be announced as soon as next week.
He said: “We’ve gone through an interview process and we had five candidates short-listed,” said Blues chief executive Richard Holland, speaking as he set off on the #StayStrongForOws Cardiff to Paris bike ride.
“We’ll be choosing our head coach from one of those five and we’re hopeful we’ll be able to announce in the next week or so. We want to get on with it but it’s an absolutely critical role to get right.
“I’m looking forward to getting our man on board and giving him the full autonomy which is absolutely key in helping to take this region forward.”
The incoming Blues’ coach will be joined by three players already signed up for next season. Wing Tom James returns from Exeter Chiefs, American flyer Blaine Scully will arrive from Leicester Tigers and Super Rugby star Rey Lee-Lo will join from the Hurricanes.
And Holland is certain they will find the right person to take the region forward.
He said: “I don’t want to go into too much detail because we haven’t had discussions with all of the candidates in terms of whether they have been successful or not. I enjoyed the process and I’m sure we’ll get the right man from that five.”
