Super 15: Mitchell to leave Force early

John Mitchell. Photo / John Stone

PERTH - Western Force will on Thursday announce the departure of coach John Mitchell a year before his contract expires, with Richard Graham set to take over the head coaching role for the 2011 Super 15 season.

Mitchell is expected to sign a deal to coach the Lions, who he is currently guiding in the Currie Cup competition.

The former All Blacks coach had already announced he would step down from the Force at the end of the 2011 campaign.

The Force appointed Wallabies assistant Graham to take over at that time, but those plans will have to be brought forward by a year.

Mitchell was appointed the inaugural coach of the Force in 2006.

But in five years at the helm, the 46-year-old failed to lead the club into the finals despite boasting a star-studded squad for much of that time.

The injury-hit Force finished a disappointing 13th last season.

- AAP