Exeter chiefs bosses have 'made their minds up' about under-pressure boss Rob Baxter
10/21/2024 07:42 AM
Exeter Chiefs’ head coach, Rob Baxter, labelled his team as a “Jekyll and Hyde team” after their latest loss, a 24-18 defeat away at Newcastle Falcons.
The Friday night match marked Exeter's sixth consecutive Premiership defeat, with the club now staring at their worst-ever start since being promoted under Baxter's leadership.
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A Rocky Start for a Premiership Giant
Since promotion to the top flight, the Chiefs have been a dominant force, lifting the Premiership trophy twice (in 2016–17 and 2019–20) and reaching four more finals. They also conquered Europe, winning the Champions Cup in October 2020 by defeating Racing 92. But this season, things have taken a sharp downturn.
Exeter have now started the season with five straight losses, something never seen before in Baxter’s era. It’s uncharted territory for the man who etched his name into Exeter folklore at Sandy Park.
Big Names, Big Losses
Exeter’s struggles this season aren't entirely surprising when you consider the stars they’ve lost. Key players like Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, and Sam Simmonds have departed, leaving Baxter in one of the toughest spots of his career. Cost-cutting measures have only added to the challenges, with the Chiefs unable to replace those marquee players with similar firepower.
Young Guns Impress, But the Table Doesn’t Lie
Despite the gloomy outlook, there are glimmers of hope. Young talents like Immanuel Femi-Waboso and Josh Hodge have been standout performers this season. However, even their efforts can’t hide the harsh reality—Exeter are rock bottom of the Premiership, with five defeats from five.
Fan Frustration Boils Over on Social Media
Exeter fans are starting to lose patience. Social media is flooded with comments questioning Baxter's future at the club. Here's what some of them had to say:
- One fan wrote, “Some will still say ‘trust in Rob Baxter’ and ‘back the team’, but the league table doesn't lie. There are serious problems with the team at present. Will the current coaching staff be able to sort it?”
- Another fan questioned, “Questions have to be asked of Rob Baxter after a very slow start to the season.”
- One supporter vented: “Woeful. To be totally beaten up in all aspects of the game by a team who hadn't won for 19 months shows what a dark hole we are in. We are at rock bottom, so the only way is up.”
- Another commented: “Something has to change. Pointless saying the same thing every week because clearly something's wrong and not happening.”
- One frustrated fan added: “Absolutely embarrassing. Rob needs to sort it out or he can go as well. This is the lowest we've been for years; we made Newcastle look good.”
- Another fan didn't hold back: “I'm sorry, but heads need to roll. 9 and 10 are not Premiership level. We looked weak in the carry. I said before the game the players looked uninterested, and it showed. Something behind the scenes is bad because that was the worst performance I've seen in a very long time.”
Baxter’s Job Still Safe for Now
Despite the mounting pressure from fans, RUCK understands that Rob Baxter's job remains safe, at least for the time being. He is expected to be given until the end of the season to turn Exeter's fortunes around.
LIST | Rob Baxter's 4 Worst Signings of All-Time
Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter is without a doubt one of the most outstanding rugby bosses right now or of all-time.
Not only is he a serial winner, his player development is superb and his side play exciting and innovative rugby.
Nevertheless, even the best in the business make mistakes though, so let’s take a look at some of the worst signings he’s ever made.
These moves didn’t quite work out.
1. Niko Matawalu
The Fijian magician came down to Chiefs from Bath with huge expectations after impressing at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. However, off-the-field problems meant the scrum-half/wing only ever played for Exeter Braves, once in December 2016, without graduating to the first team.
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