Warren Gatland
Wales coach Warren Gatland will quit his post after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and return to New Zealand, media reports in his homeland said on Friday.
Gatland, already Wales’ longest-serving coach after taking up the position in 2007, said he wanted to head home and possibly take a break before resuming his career in New Zealand.
“I’m here (Wales) until 2019 and the plan for me then is definitely to come home for a period,” he reportedly told commercial radio.
“If I was involved in provincial rugby or Super Rugby, that would be great, but if not, I may have to go to the beach for 6 months or 12 months, put my feet up and take a bit of a break.”
By the time the 2019 edition of the tournament in Japan ends, Gatland will have been away from New Zealand for more than 20 years, barring a 2005 – 2007 spell in charge of Waikato.
“I’ve been away for long enough. I’m 52, so hopefully I’ve got plenty more years left coaching,” he said.
“Post-2019 definitely the plan is to come back home to New Zealand.”
Gatland guided an injury-ravaged Wales to the quarterfinals at this year’s Rugby World Cup and has led the team to Grand Slam success in 2008 and 2012.
He also masterminded a British & Irish Lions series win against Australia in 2013 and previously coached Ireland and London Wasps.
Gatland has admitted in the past that his long-term ambition is to coach the All Blacks, who are riding high after securing back-to-back Rugby World Cups against Australia on Saturday.
Sport24