The Golden Lions have suspended coach John Mitchell after several players complained about his coaching and management style.

Before joining the Lions Mitchell was the Western Force in Perth and an almost identical situation occurred as the players were not happy with Mitchell's style.

The decision to suspend Mitchell was made at a meeting on Thursday night by the Lions board of Directors where they discussed the complaints in detail.

Business Day has revealed that the Union will investigate the complaints on Monday and a decision will be made on Mitchell's future.

Mitchell signed a three-year-contract with the Golden Lions after he joined them for the 2010 Currie Cup when he came in to cover for former Springbok back-line coach Dick Muir.

At the time Mitchell was still Western Force's Super Rugby coach but he was later released.

In Mitchell's second year as Currie Cup coach the Lions won the Currie Cup although many of the other Unions were missing their Springboks due to the Currie Cup and the TriNations in that campaign.

Lions president Kevin de Klerk refused to comment on the matter in detail on Friday and said,"We made the decision to suspend John Mitchell pending an investigation after a board meeting. "

"I cannot comment further at this time," he told Business Day.