Incoming backs coach Alex King has revealed he snubbed other offers to join Saints.
The Clermont Auvergne assistant coach will move to Franklin’s Gardens this summer and join Jim Mallinder’s coaching staff.
The former Wasps fly-half had been linked with a move to Irish side Connacht, but plumped for Saints.
And King, who will take over the role vacated by Paul Grayson, feels a switch to Northampton will help him develop after four years’ coaching at Clermont.
“Let’s only say I had some other offers on the table,” King told ESPN Scrum, “and that I decided to accept the one I found right for me and my growth as a coach.”
He added: “I am so excited to join Northampton. I have known Jim since my time at Wasps and I think he is a great coach and rugby man. He has made a huge impact during his years at Franklin’s Garden, as did Paul Grayson.
“The team is a very good mix of international stars, experienced quality players and young talent.
“They have Dylan Hartley who is a well respected leader and that’s another key point. I really look forward to working with him and Dorian West to help the team develop and fulfil their great potential.”
King will be tasked with spicing up Saints’ attacking game and helping them launch a renewed assault on silverware next season.
But with French Top 14 teams like Clermont and Toulon, who possess huge budgets, pulling the strings in the Heineken Cup, can Northampton hope to compete?
“The Premiership is a very good competition as well,” said King, who has learned his trade alongside the likes of Joe Schmidt and Vern Cotter.
“The English clubs have been forced to invest in their youngsters and so a lot of great players in their early 20s have exploded onto the scene in the last couple of seasons.
“The academy system is working so well in England that clubs with financial difficulties in the past are set to succeed as a result of introducing young players.
“For example, Wasps have managed to develop players like Joe Launchbury, Christian Wade, Eliot Daly and Billy Vunipola to name just a few and are now a force once again in the Premiership and in Amlin Challenge Cup as well.”
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