Diamond held the same role at Sale Sharks for eight years, guiding them to the Challenge Cup semi-finals in 2019, as well as two quarter-finals prior to that.

The 60-year-old will take charge of the rugby programme immediately – Worcester have also confirmed the departure of head coach Jonathan Thomas - before taking over from the retiring Alan Solomons as director of rugby in June.

“We have a really exciting challenge in front of us and it’s one that I am relishing,” Diamond said.

“We have enthusiastic owners who have ambitions for the club to be established in the top six of the Gallagher Premiership and playing in the Heineken Champions Cup.

“Clearly we are not where we would like to be at the moment as a club. To achieve our ambitions, our results need to improve and changes need to be made. A key part of my role will be the recruitment of players and staff.”

Warriors remain in contention for a place in this season’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16, having beaten Zebre Parma 36-26 on Saturday.

The game at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi was Worcester’s final Pool A game, with the results of Round 5 fixtures in April set to decide their fate.

Worcester Warriors have announced that Steve Diamond will become their director of rugby at the end of this season on a two-year contract.