John Manenti has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Major League Rugby (MLR) club, the San Diego Legion, effective September 1, 2024. Manenti brings a wealth of experience and a proven record in both sevens and fifteens rugby.
He has played a key role in significant achievements, including Australia’s first Sevens World Series title in 2022 and the team’s first-ever automatic qualification for the Olympic Rugby Sevens in 2023.
Throughout his coaching career, Manenti has worked with both men’s and women’s teams, showcasing his talent for recruiting, developing, and retaining players, which has led to consistently strong performances.
Ryan Patterson, Team Owner of the San Diego Legion, expressed his excitement about the hire, emphasizing that throughout the recruitment process, Manenti consistently distinguished himself from a highly competitive pool of candidates. He praised Manenti’s strategic vision and ability to foster winning cultures, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome a coach of his caliber to San Diego Legion, confident in his expertise and dedication to lead our team to new successes.”
David Haigh, CEO of the San Diego Legion, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Manenti’s extensive experience and impressive history of developing players. He stated that Manenti’s appointment reflects the team’s commitment to excellence as they aim to strengthen their presence in Major League Rugby.
Manenti expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “Returning to 15s rugby as the Head Coach of San Diego Legion is an exciting opportunity to apply my coaching philosophy and experience in a new environment. I am committed to building on the solid foundation here and leading the team to achieve our goal of winning the MLR Championship.” He plans to relocate to San Diego and is eager to start working with the team in preparation for the upcoming season.