John Manenti, the Head Coach of the Australia Men’s Sevens team, has been appointed as the new Head Coach of Major League Rugby (MLR) club San Diego Legion, effective September 1, 2024.
Manenti brings a wealth of experience and a successful track record in both the 7s and 15s formats of rugby. He played a crucial role in Australia’s recent accomplishments, notably leading the team to its first Sevens World Series victory in 2022 and securing Olympic Rugby Sevens qualification for the first time in 2023.
His coaching career includes successful tenures with both men’s and women’s teams, where he has shown exceptional skill in recruiting, developing, and retaining talent, consistently driving teams to excel.
Ryan Patterson, the Team Owner of San Diego Legion, shared his excitement regarding Manenti’s appointment, stating, “Throughout the Head Coach recruitment process, John consistently stood out from an exceptionally talented field of candidates. His strategic vision for rugby, combined with his ability to elevate teams and foster winning cultures, truly impressed us. We are thrilled to welcome a coach of his caliber to San Diego Legion and have confidence in his expertise to lead our team to new successes.”
David Haigh, CEO of San Diego Legion, also highlighted the significance of Manenti’s appointment, emphasizing that it reflects the team’s commitment to excellence. “His extensive experience and impressive track record in nurturing players and achieving success internationally will be invaluable as we enhance our presence in Major League Rugby and beyond. We believe John will lead the San Diego Legion to new heights.”
Manenti expressed his enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “Returning to 15s rugby as the Head Coach of San Diego Legion presents an exciting opportunity to implement my coaching philosophy and experience in a fresh setting. I am dedicated to building on the solid foundation here and leading the team to achieve our objective of winning the MLR Championship.” He plans to relocate to San Diego and is eager to start collaborating with the team in preparation for the upcoming season.