London, England — Saracens Rugby Club confirmed on Friday that Mark McCall will step down from his long-held role as Director of Rugby at the conclusion of the current 2025-26 season, bringing to a close one of the most successful chapters in the club’s modern history.
After 15 seasons leading the north London powerhouse, McCall’s departure from the top coaching post marks a significant shift for a team that has dominated English and European rugby for much of the past decade and a half.
A Storied Tenure at the Helm
McCall, 58, has been one of the most influential figures in Saracens’ rise to prominence since taking the Director of Rugby position in the 2011-12 season. Under his stewardship, Saracens won an impressive six Premiership titles and three European Rugby Champions Cup crowns, establishing themselves as a benchmark of consistency and excellence in the professional era.
His leadership also saw the club through one of its most turbulent episodes — the salary-cap scandal that resulted in relegation in 2020, followed by an immediate return to the top flight and a Premiership title in 2023. Through both triumph and adversity, McCall’s tactical acumen and managerial steadiness became synonymous with Saracens’ identity.
In a club statement, McCall said he was “immensely proud of what we’ve achieved at Saracens and grateful for the opportunity to have led the rugby programme for so long,” noting that he felt the time was right to hand over the reins while remaining committed to the club’s future.
Transition to a New Role
While McCall will be stepping back from his day-to-day role after this season, he will not be leaving the club entirely. Saracens announced that he will take on a technical advisor role and join the organisation’s Board of Directors, ensuring his experience and insight remain part of the club’s strategic fabric.
This new structure is designed to provide continuity while opening the door for fresh leadership and ideas at the top of the rugby department. The club’s announcement described the change as part of a broader “new technical structure” aimed at sustaining success on and off the field.
Venter to Return as Director of Rugby
Stepping into the Director of Rugby role from the start of the 2026-27 season will be Brendan Venter, a familiar figure at Saracens and McCall’s predecessor in the position. Venter, a former Springbok centre and former Saracens boss, was instrumental in McCall’s original recruitment back in 2009 and has served the club as a technical advisor for the past 15 years.
His return signals a continuation of the club’s culture and philosophy rather than a sharp break from the past — a factor that both he and McCall highlighted as central to the transition. Venter described his ongoing association with the club as “continuous for more than seventeen years,” emphasising his pride in returning to a leadership role.
Reflections on a Legacy
McCall’s influence on Saracens extends beyond silverware. His tenure shaped the club’s approach to player development, game strategy, and professional culture. Many of the key figures in Saracens’ recent history came through under McCall’s watch, and his tactical innovations — particularly in areas such as defensive structure and breakdown efficiency — have been widely recognised across the Premiership and European rugby.
Fans and pundits alike have lauded McCall for his ability to blend pragmatism with ambition, crafting teams that were not only successful but also consistently competitive, even amid heavy fixture congestion and international absences. The transitional decision comes at a moment when the club sits sixth in the Premiership standings, preparing to face Newcastle in their next fixture.
A Calm Transition Amid High Stakes
The timing of McCall’s decision — announced mid-season rather than at its close — has been interpreted as a thoughtful move aimed at reducing uncertainty and allowing for a smooth changeover of responsibilities. By committing to remain involved in a different capacity, McCall has allayed concerns among supporters about a sudden departure and ensured that his deep well of knowledge will still be accessible to the club hierarchy and coaching staff in seasons to come.
Club director Dominic Silvester praised McCall’s influence, saying it was “impossible to overstate the impact he has had on Saracens,” and expressing confidence that the technical restructure would preserve strengths while preparing the club for the next chapter.
What’s Next
As McCall hands over the operational reins to Venter, Saracens face the challenge of balancing aspiration with stability. The club remains in contention for honours this season and continues to cultivate a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talent. McCall’s ongoing advisory presence and Venter’s familiar leadership style are expected to help guide that effort without disrupting the core identity that has defined Saracens for years.
For a club steeped in tradition and driven by success, the announcement marks not just the end of an era but the beginning of a carefully considered new phase — one shaped by continuity as much as change.
