Brian McClennan shocked those reporting on World Rugby News this week with his resignation as head coach of Leeds Rhinos. This wasn’t in the script for the club who were looking for McClennan to mentor former Harlequins coach Brian McDermott for a season before stepping aside and letting the former take over the reigns at Headingley.

What we need to address is whether McClennan did the right thing to move aside earlier than expected. Did he see the cracks in the Rhinos set-up and get out of the club as soon as he could?

McClennan certainly had a successful time in charge of the Rhinos despite a winless 2010. St Helens must hate the sight of the man who worked out a plan to beat the Lancashire club three times in as many seasons.

But like at any other high profile sports club the manager had his criticisms from the passionate fans. Certain fans in the south stand felt his style of rugby was too dull and never entertained the fans. It takes something special to please the rugby fans of today. He won the league a trio of times, what more can you ask for?

McClennan may have moved quickly to get McDermott in the hot seat sooner rather than later but was he clever and walked away at the right time. Leeds have some problems at the minute and they are there for all to see. An ageing team, injuries to key players and a lack of youngsters at the club highlights the problems McDermott has now he has taken over for real.

With players in several positions who are nearing the end of their career and the departure of Matt Diskin along with the injuries to Danny McGuire and Jamie Peacock, the Rhinos don’t look in the best shape to take on Super League 2011. It will take some great man management and a great tactical brain to get the Rhinos playing some attractive rugby and give the fans something to shout about after a trophy less campaign last time around.

McDermott will have a tough ask on his hands and it is now time to show how good a rugby coach he actually is. He leaves a difficult Harlequins job to coach a Leeds team that demand success immediately.

He had his plaudits for experimenting with youngsters and trying to play attractive rugby at Quins but does he have enough top quality experience to take over the reigns at Headingley.

What we don’t know is how McDermott will perform in his first year coaching a top rugby club but what’s clear to see at this early stage is the enormous job McDermott has on his hands.