Under-pressure Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan is keen to remain at Kingsholm beyond the current season.
Cherry and Whites boss has held talks with owner over summer plans
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan is "confident" he will remain at Kingsholm for next season.
The Cherry and Whites boss found himself answering questions about his own future following his side's 13-6 loss to Worcester on Tuesday night.
The result, which is a severe blow to their Guinness Premiership title hopes, came straight off the back of a 50-12 loss to Cardiff in the EDF Energy Cup final, meaning the club looks likely to end up without a trophy this season.
Despite coming under pressure recently, Ryan is determined to stay on in his current job and oversee a summer clear-out of the playing staff.
Conversations
He admits he has already held conversations with club owner Tom Walkinshaw over their plans and has called for the fans to show patience.
"I'm confident I want to be here (next season)," he said. "It's probably the third time in a week that I've been asked the same thing. If you want the answer of what Tom wants, you had better ask him.
"I have had a number of conversations post the game on Saturday and last week. I've had a number of conversations about plans and going forward all of which Tom is very aware of.
"I can understand the fans' frustration at not being top of the league but you are not guaranteed to be top of the league every year.
"We have not played as well as we would have liked and you have to understand there has been expectation to be top of the league every year so we have to show some patience and some support for a bunch of guys who are working very hard.
"Sometimes, we are a little bit quick to criticise when there are a people working to make this club what they want it to be."
Gloucester could still qualify for the play-offs, though they will have to secure a win over Wasps on their travels and hope other results go their way.
Ryan added: "That is probably a side which is shorn of people we need and we have to be realistic (about Saturday) and think that, if we get a result, we have to hope that we get some people back (for the play-offs).
"We are obviously disappointed to lose this game. We worked tremendously hard after Saturday's performance but we ran out of steam."
Delighted
Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock was delighted to complete a league double over their opponents.
Their 13-6 victory was achieved thanks to eight points from the boot of Willie Walker, who is ironically on loan from Gloucester, and a try from Netani Talei.
"We wanted to do the double over Gloucester which may sound a bit far fetched given our lowly position in the league but we fancied we could do it," he said.
Worcester finish their domestic campaign against London Irish, who are fourth, at Sixways on Saturday but will be without fly-half Matthew Jones who broke a foot in the first half against Gloucester.
"That's a blow because Willie is cup-tied as well so our injury bad luck in the backs continues," Ruddock added.
"I have to reflect on where I need to hold people back before the Bourgoin game (European Challenge Cup semi-final) a week on Saturday. Can we reproduce another big effort and then go to Bourgoin and try to do it over there too?
"We are short on numbers so that will be a big ask."
