Thursday 21 July 2016 15:15, UK
Head coach Dan Ryan has left Manchester Thunder to take charge of Adelaide Thunderbirds.
The 32-year-old Australian nearly guided Thunder to the Vitality Netball Superleague title in his first season in charge, losing in the Grand Final to Surrey Storm, but has decided to return to his home country.
Ryan previously worked as assistant coach for the Thunderbirds before moving to Manchester and will head back to Adelaide as head coach on an initial two-year deal.
He told The Thunder's official website: "I have such mixed emotions at the moment. In one breathe I'm gutted to be leaving Manchester Thunder who have become like a second family to me over the past 12 months, but then I'm extremely excited by the incredible opportunity that has been presented to me by the Adelaide Thunderbirds in the new Australian Netball League.
It's been one of the best years of my life and I can't thank everyone at Thunder enough for what they have done for me.
"It was honestly one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make as I have loved every second of the experience here, not only from a netball perspective but the life experience as well.
"It's been one of the best years of my life and I can't thank everyone at Thunder enough for what they have done for me. Without them I wouldn't be where I am now so I am so grateful for everything.
"This place really has stolen a piece of my heart and I wish them nothing but the best for the future. The opportunity to re-join the Thunderbirds as the head coach with a whole new level of professionalism within the sport in Australia, was just too good to refuse.
"This is what I have sacrificed so much for and worked towards my whole coaching career, it's been the dream and now it's happening."
Ryan will assist Thunder over the next month in their selection of a new coaching set up for the 2017 Superleague season before leaving for Australia.
