‘Nothing concrete’ in Warren Gatland’s coaching future
Wales coach Warren Gatland insists there is “nothing concrete” lined up for his next coaching job when he steps down from his current position.
Gatland revealed last week that he has had informal conversations about coaching the British and Irish Lions for a third time when they tour South Africa in 2021.
But although the New Zealander isn’t short of offers, he maintains his future must still be resolved.
“I have had a couple of discussions with some people at the moment, yeah,” Gatland told AFP.
“But there is definitely nothing concrete. Maybe at the end of the World Cup I will be unemployed.
“I was looking to take a few months off and then start looking in the middle of 2020, potentially do some Super Rugby in New Zealand if there was an opportunity.
“But I am also aware that there are not a lot of jobs in New Zealand. That might not be an option.
“So whether it is back in club rugby in the Premiership, or France or Japan, or something like that.”
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Gatland is about to start his last Six Nations campaign as Wales boss, before he ends his 12-year coaching tenure with that country at the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year.
During Gatland’s stint as Wales coach, they have won three Six Nations titles – including two Grand Slams – and they also reached the 2011 World Cup semi-finals in New Zealand.
He was also the British and Irish Lions’ head coach when they claimed a 2-1 Test series victory over Australia and also guided the famous touring team to a 1-1 drawn series with the world champion All Blacks in 2017.
He believes making Wales a competitive side against the heavyweights in the Test arena is one of his best achievements.
“I take a lot of pride in the fact we go out there and it doesn’t matter who we play, they know they are in for one hell of a tough game,” added Gatland.
“I’ve watched and been to a number of games at the old Millennium Stadium and seen the All Blacks put out a second-string team against Wales. There is no way they would do that now.
“Success for me is not always about winning, it’s about overachieving.
“If you look at football and a team like Bournemouth, they’ve been successful because they are overachieving in terms of what people expect.”
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