THE Dean Ryan era at the Dragons is over after a financial settlement over his contract for the rest of this season.
The former England forward was given the boot after a disastrous start to the United Rugby Championship at Edinburgh 15 weeks ago.
It took time to reach an agreement over his exit with matters complicated by the director of rugby also having a place on the board.
WRU Gwent Rugby Limited filed with Companies House today that his appointment was terminated on December 31 with the Dragons later confirming the exit.
"We thank Dean for his contribution and wish him every future success," said chairman David Buttress in a short statement.
Ryan arrived in 2019 on an initial three-year contract and the Argus understands he was given a fresh deal last autumn before performances fell off a cliff.
READ MORE: End of the Ryan era a costly shambles
There were murmurings of discontent in the camp and the Dragons finished with just two wins in 2021/22, conceding half centuries in hammerings by Munster, the Bulls, Sharks and Ospreys.
They recruited strongly but started the current campaign terribly in Scotland, leading to Ryan being axed.
There was a break clause in his contract and the Dragons, who are still owned by the Welsh Rugby Union despite chairman David Buttress wanting to go back into private ownership, have rubber-stamped a settlement.
It will have been costly - the accounts show that Ryan was paid £232,565 for the financial year ending June 30, 2021, down from £284,012 in 2020 due to Covid wage cuts.
Dai Flanagan, who was brought in as head coach in the summer to work under Ryan in a bid to placate an unsettled camp, has been calling the shots since the second week of the season.
He will continue as the boss and will work with head of recruitment Rob Burgess to build a squad for next season.
Flanagan spearheaded a strong first block of the URC featuring three home wins but is facing the first major test of his time at the helm.
The Dragons are without a win in six games and their squad is stretched for Friday’s daunting date with the Bulls in Newport.
Nonetheless, the feeling is that the club is on the right track under highly-rated Flanagan.
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