Bester could be set to leave Rotherham for second time

The South African is at loggerheads with the Clifton Lane hierarchy over matters of internal discipline and met with directors yesterday to determine his future.

That meeting was adjourned and is set to reconvene tomorrow.

It is understood that Bester is charged with a number of counts of breaching club discipline, all of which are believed to have stemmed from a disagreement between the coach and club officials over the way he dealt with forwards coach Ben Wade at the start of the season.

Wade no longer works with the first team and the fallout from that row has escalated.

Bester met with officials last week and again yesterday with his future at the top of the agenda.

But after five hours of talks between Bester and, among others, club director Martin Jenkinson, no resolution was reached.

Afterwards, Bester took training as he continues preparing the team for Saturday’s South Yorkshire derby with Doncaster Knights.

Should Bester be dismissed in the next 48 hours it would be the second time the colourful South African has left Clifton Lane under a cloud.

He departed in 2007 because of clashes with board members, despite successive top-four finishes in the second tier. But after the club battled relegation in the next three years, Bester returned in 2010 and immediately set about revitalising the squad.

He took them to the promotion play-offs in both seasons, although on each occasion they could not build on their early-season promise.

Rotherham have made a strong start again this term, and were not too badly damaged by a 33-0 defeat in the snow at Newcastle last Friday night, as the Falcons aresweeping all before them en route to an anticipated instant return to the Aviva Premiership.

Should Bester be sacked he would undoubtedly be sought after by a number of clubs.

The South African has a fiery temperament and is not afraid of ruffling feathers where ever he coaches.

But he is a highly-regarded motivator and tactician and his ability to transform journeymen and raw young players into Premiership, Celtic League or even international stars is well-known, and a reputation that has only been enhanced during his second spell with Rotherham.

Likewise, the Titans would be an attractive proposition for any coach, given their pedigree as ever-presents in English rugby’s top two divisions since 1996.

Alex Codling is a name already in the frame to succeed Bester. One-time England lock Codling, 39, has coaching experience at London Welsh, London Scottish, Cardiff, Barking and Ebbw Vale.