Dai Young has left Cardiff Rugby despite being cleared after an independent investigation into bullying allegations against him.
Young was suspended on 20 April this year, missing their final game of the season against Ospreys after reports that a number of complaints has been made against him from employees.
But the former Wasps boss denied all allegations, and was cleared by a barrister who conducted the investigation.
A Cardiff Rugby statement read: “As has been widely reported in the media, on 20 April 2023, Dai Young was suspended from his role as director of rugby by Cardiff Rugby following allegations of bullying, which he categorically denied.
“Given the nature of these allegations and mindful of its duty of care to all employees, Cardiff Rugby commissioned a barrister to carry out an independent investigation.
“Following a thorough process, the barrister concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations and that no further action should be taken in relation to them.
“Unfortunately, this process has caused strain on the working relationship between Cardiff Rugby and Dai Young. In the circumstances, regrettably, it has been mutually agreed by the parties to terminate Dai's employment contract in accordance with terms within that allow for early termination.
“Cardiff Rugby would like to thank Dai for his latest contribution to the Club during the last two years, which culminated in the Club finishing as the highest placed Welsh club in the United Rugby Championship, which secured a return to the European Champions Cup. We wish Dai the very best with whatever the future holds for him.
“Work will now begin to appoint a successor and coaching team at the Arms Park with 14 weeks still remaining until the 2023-24 season kicks off.”
Young was in his second stint as Cardiff Rugby boss, having won the Anglo-Welsh Cup and European Challenge Cup in his first between its inception in 2003 and 2011.
After leading Wasps to the 2017 Premiership Final in a nine-year stay there between 2011 and 2020, he returned as Director of Rugby of the region as an interim in January 2021 before getting the job permanently in April of that year.
It was a disappointing start for the 51-capped former Welsh international with a 14th-placed finish in the URC, but in his second full season in charge he lifted the club to tenth and secured the Welsh Shield and a place in the Champions Cup.
The region will be anxious to finalise getting a replacement in as soon as possible, with the season starting in less than three months and pre-season having already got underway.
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