Sharks legend Leota to leave the club

Sale Sharks can confirm that Senior Academy Coach Johnny Leota will leave the club to return to New Zealand after 15 years with the club as player and coach.

Former Samoan international Johnny became Shark #210 when he joined Sale as a player on an initial two-year deal in 2011.

An instant fans’ favourite, he went on to make 135 appearances for the club, scoring 27 tries including a hat trick against La Vila in the European Challenge Cup in 2011. 

Johnny played his final Sharks game against Newcastle in the PREM Cup in February 2019, and soon after joined the Sharks staff, holding roles as Player Liaison, skills coach in the junior academy, lead U18s Coach, and Women’s Defence Coach before joining the Sharks Senior Academy coaching staff.

He’s also taken charge of the first team for Prem Rugby Cup games, coached the Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) 1st team and and played for Lymm Rugby Club, Sale FC and Rossendale.

Now he’s set to return to New Zealand and a coaching role at his hometown club of Manawatu, where he began his career in 2004.

Johnny said: “I only planned to come here for two years and then I was going to go home and retire. To be still here 15 years later is incredible but I can honestly say that joining Sale Sharks was the best decision I have ever made – not just as a player but as a person too.

“I’ve done things I never thought I would so – like running a marathon and graduating – and I’ve made some incredible friends and made some amazing memories.

“I’ve been surrounded by so many good people and we’ve gone through some really tough times together but that helped us all create bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime.

“On the field, one of the highlights was whacking people with Sammy T. He was someone I looked up to so when Steve Diamond told me he had signed for Sale, coming here to play with him was a no brainer.

“Manchester and Sale Sharks will always have a really special place in mine and my family’s hearts and I’m really going to miss everyone at the club.”

Sharks co-owner Michelle Orange said: “Johnny has given so much to Sale Sharks on and off the field, both as a player and a coach and I know I speak for everyone at the club when I say that we’ll really miss him and his family.

“Fans will remember what an incredible player he was but since hanging up his boots, he’s played a huge role in developing some of our biggest names.

“He’s hugely popular at Carrington and I know everyone at the club would like to wish Johnny and his family all the very best for the future and his move back to New Zealand.”