Aussie review may damage Connor move

The man poised to take over as performance director of British athletics is at the centre of a storm of controversy in Australia over his management style.

Former British Olympic triple jumper Keith Connor, who won bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, has emerged as the leading contender to rejuvenate track and field in Britain following the departure of Max Jones after the Athens Games in August.

But his impending appointment has caused a stir in Australia, where he holds the equivalent position as head coach.

A long-awaited review of the sport in Australia, set to be published on Monday, exposes "significant criticisms" of the 47-year-old's management style, according to reports.

Speculation in Australia is that UK Athletics is only poaching someone whose contract was not going to be renewed anyway once it expired in December.

Renowned for his hard-line approach, Connor was said to have fallen out with athletes and coaches in the build-up to what was an unsuccessful Games in Athens for Australian athletes.