June 4, 2022. Sixways. A Gallagher Premiership tie between two struggling teams ends with Worcester scoring six tries in a comfortable 43-27 victory over Bath.
The defeat of the visitors is confirmation that one of the most historic clubs in England had hit rock bottom. Had Championship side Ealing been able to meet the required promotion criteria that season, Bath would have suffered the ignominy of relegation.
“It was a difficult time for everyone at the club and in the city,” Tarquin McDonald, the club’s chief executive, told Mail Sport. “We had to commit to getting out of the position we were in. It was clear we weren’t on the right trajectory long before the season ended.
‘We knew we needed to change. We become trapped in a vicious cycle of reactive decision-making, always on the defensive.’
Bath had been grossly underperforming for far too long and that’s putting it kindly. Two years later, the fans once again have a winning team.
Bath hit rock bottom and were on the verge of relegation, but are now close to the league title
Bath confirmed the signing of Johann Van Graan in 2021-22, after having tried to attract him in 2016
If they beat Sale in Saturday’s home play-off they will be just one step away from the league title. By all accounts, his improvement has been as rapid as it is notable.
‘We are ahead of schedule. The change has been phenomenal. “Once you start gaining momentum, it’s incredibly powerful,” McDonald added.
So how have Bath done it?
Midway through the nadir of the 2021-22 season, Bath confirmed the signing of Johann Van Graan, a manager they had admired for some time, having tried to lure him in 2016. That meant club legend Stuart Hooper, in charge at the time, had to be put aside.
It was an emotional decision, but Van Graan’s work is paying off in his second season. Bath are favorites to beat Sale on Saturday and book a trip to Twickenham for the first time since 2015.
“On my first day I said two things,” Van Graan said. ‘One was a quote from Pep Guardiola: the beast will always eat you alive unless you are yourself. The second is a golden rule for me: treat others how you want to be treated. That was a starting point.
‘I use a quote: “A talent achieves a goal that no one else can see, but a genius achieves a goal that no one else can see.” It was important to me that everyone in Bath could see the future.’
That future looks bright with Van Graan at the helm. Earlier this month, the club announced that the South African signed a new long-term contract extension until at least 2030.
“As a club, you have to go back 30 years, to the end of the Jack Rowell era, to see the last time we went through a second contract cycle with a manager,” McDonald added.
‘It’s no surprise that successful teams have the right people and build with them. We have been missing that. Bath is a proud rugby city.
“We are a big club and big clubs need big players and big coaches. I think there is more pressure with certain clubs. We wanted a world-class head coach to build something special. Now we are seeing confidence and faith in the players. The monkey It’s been taken away from them. It’s brilliant.’
Van Graan lives and breathes his job, although he emphasizes the importance of time management. He lives in the luxurious Farleigh estate with his wife Melissa and his three young children. “The two most important things in my life are my family and my faith,” Van Graan said. ‘When we were in Munster, we became Irish. Now we are in England and we are English! We have immersed ourselves in the Bath community, the schools and the church. The people of Bath have been very good to us.
Owner Bruce Craig’s millions have long underpinned Bath’s bid for success, but the money has been poorly spent in the past.
A key piece of business for the revival has been the signing of Scotland’s number 10, Finn Russell, for a huge sum of money. Thomas du Toit has been a good addition and Bath took advantage of the demise of Worcester and Wasps to sign Ollie Lawrence, Ted Hill and Alfie Barbeary.
‘I read Pep’s books and they fascinated me. At Bath we have a very good relationship with Manchester City that we have built over the last two years,” said Van Graan. ‘The last few times we were at Sale, we spent a day at City, specifically learning about their academy structures. City hall staff also visit us.
Last season, Bath’s first under Van Graan, they finished eighth, but seven defeats by a margin of seven points or less suggested they were close to turning the corner. This season, they have been the only team to remain in the top four from start to finish.
“We want to create longevity and success year after year,” Van Graan said. ‘I think the most successful teams stay together for a long time. One thing we have done very well at Bath is to stay strong and consistent, whatever our results.
‘We have to dream of reaching the final because you play in a competition to win it. “I’d like to think we’re a humble group, but we’ve worked really hard to get to a semi-final, so we should enjoy it.”
Whatever happens against Sale, Bath are likely to be a force in both the Premiership and Europe in the coming seasons.
Bath manager Van Graan has used Pep Guardiola’s books and quotes to help transform his team.
Bath are likely to be a force in both the Premiership and Europe in the coming seasons.
Without a doubt, his performance on the field has improved. Additionally, the club is hopeful that a Bath planning committee will approve the long-awaited redevelopment of the Rec later this year.
The place will be packed again for Sale’s visit.
“We have amazing, passionate fans and we play right in the heart of the city,” McDonald said. “Obviously we would know what we want the script to be, but whatever happens, we are enjoying these moments because of the difficult times we have all been through.
‘We are at the beginning of something and ready to launch it. There is a truly special opportunity for Bath. “Now we have to go out and grab it.”