ALAN Solomons has not come to Worcester Warriors to take anyone’s job, insists USA-bound boss Gary Gold.

Warriors are looking to appoint a new director of rugby to replace Gold with the deadline for applications finishing last Friday.

Solomons took over the reins at Sixways while Gold was in South Africa and chairman Bill Bolsover said it was “up to him” to throw his name in the mix for the top job.

But Gold said his 67-year-old “mentor” was only interested in helping him guide Aviva Premiership’s bottom club to safety.

Vastly-experienced Solomons was assistant coach at South Africa between 1997 and 2000 and has previously worked at Ulster, Northampton Saints and Edinburgh.

“Alan was basically my mentor 20 years ago,” said Gold who will leave Warriors to become USA’s head coach next summer.

“I know Alan does not come here with any agenda other than to see Warriors improve. He has been in the game for so long that he does not want anyone else’s job.

“He is just a decent, honest guy and he came in to help us keep the continuity going.

“Another benefit is that he has been in the game for 20 years, so he has a huge amount of experience and will provide another set of eyes.”

Gold said he also felt Solomons and his coaching staff had helped to move Warriors in the “right direction” during his month-long absence.

While Gold was away, Worcester beat Brive 30-20 and ran Connacht close in a 15-8 away defeat in the European Challenge Cup.

They also scored six tries in a 41-35 loss at Harlequins in the Premiership before moving into the Anglo-Welsh Cup where they were edged out 24-21 by Sale Sharks and went down 45-37 in another try-fest at The Stoop.

“The coaching staff have worked tirelessly,” Gold said.

“It was particularly nice to re-focus on something that we were good at which was our attack and I think that paid dividends.

“In our last three or four games I think we have had four or five tries per game which has been a breath of fresh air.

“I must say Carl (Hogg) and his coaches have also done a really good job, starting with the European win (over Brive), the great performance in Connacht and very good performances at Harlequins, getting two points in the Premiership.

“It was never going to be a case of waving a magic wand and things would get right overnight.

“But I think we are moving in the right direction.”