HEAD coach Carl Hogg is “absolutely elated” about leading Worcester Warriors in the Premiership next season.

The former Melrose, Edinburgh and Scotland back row says the opportunity has come “a little bit earlier” than he expected after Dean Ryan’s decision to quit Sixways.

Hogg admits “the landscape has changed slightly but the destination is still the same” as Warriors start life without Ryan.

Chief executive Jim O’Toole confirmed Warriors will not be appointing a new director of rugby, with Hogg being given responsibility for all first-team affairs.

Along with high performance director Nick Johnston, Hogg will report directly to chief executive Jim O’Toole.

“The challenge I’ve always wanted is to head up a Premiership side and it’s a little bit earlier than I expected,” said Hogg, who joined Warriors as head coach in May 2013.

“But it’s something I am delighted about and looking forward to.

“I am absolutely elated. It’s not every day you get an opportunity to look after a Premiership rugby side.

“Last season was a real battle to keep our Premiership status but we are now in a really good place where we can look to evolve and move forward.

“It’s a challenge that is hugely exciting and I am sure the players are looking forward to it too.”

Hogg worked alongside Ryan at Gloucester before they arrived at Warriors together.

He has been coaching in English rugby’s top tier for roughly 11 years.

“I spoke to Dean three-and-a-half to four years ago and he came here with a mission to create a sustainable, top-six Premiership team.

“That’s still the challenge and that’s still the goal,” said Hogg.

“That hasn’t changed.

“He has left unexpectedly but we are still on the same journey and I am confident we can make it.

“I will run things slightly differently from Dean but we won’t change our philosophy hugely.”

He added: “We have a very similar philosophy on how we play the game and how I manage the playing squad.

“How I manage the environment will be slightly different because we have different personalities.”

The former Scotland international, who has had a foot operation and is currently on crutches, confirmed he will have “full responsibility of all rugby areas” at Sixways.

But he said: “We will look to delegate and I will look to use other coaches in other competitions because it’s part of the growth model. There are opportunities for some of our coaches to step up.

“I have worked with Dean for a long time, I know him inside-out and he’s put in a foundation to take us forward.

“It’s now for Nick and I to take the group forward and lead us into the new season.”