What a shame that Warren Gatland's treatment by his own kind has spoiled the greatest job in world rugby

In another life, Warren Gatland would be a shoo-in for the New Zealand job once Steve Hansen leaves the All Blacks. He has tasted success across both hemispheres, proven himself as one of the best coaches on the planet, won numerous Premiership and Six Nations titles and become just the second man to lead a British and Irish Lions tour to the Land of the Long White Cloud and escape without tasting a series defeat.

On any CV, this would be ranked among the outstanding category, but it just isn’t good enough for the New Zealand media.

This was on full display when Gatland returned home to lead the Lions this summer, where a series of disrespectful and offensive remarks were made against the Kiwi by a number of New Zealand outlets – though one national newspaper in particular was particularly to blame. The campaign came to a head when Gatland was mocked up as a clown on the front page of that particular newspaper, to which the 54-year-old had the last laugh after appearing for his final press conference wearing a bright red nose.

But jokes aside, Gatland has admitted he was hurt by his treatment from his homeland, and while he praised the reception that he and his squad received from the Kiwi public, the same could not be said of the media.

That razor edge was on full display again on Tuesday in the wake of Gatland’s comments that he will not look to coach the Lions again in 2021 when they tour South Africa because of how much he “hated” this year’s edition.

“I’m done and I wouldn’t subject myself to that,” he said on Monday. “I hated the tour. I did. I just hated the press and the negativity in New Zealand. When I look back on it now there were a lot of things that were satisfying. It was a great achievement, but it was tough work.”

How were these comments received back in New Zealand? One headline read “Dejected and bitter Warren Gatland quits Lions”. Classy.

The tragedy here is that what should be the greatest job in rugby union – and perhaps even the sport in general – has suddenly turned into a nightmare. Lions tours are special for a reason, and the atmosphere created in Wellington for the second Test where the tourists triumphed to keep the series alive will remain long in the memory of all fans inside the Cake Tin, whether they were in black or red.

It is almost a given that whoever picks up the mantle in 2021 where Gatland left off will not face the same scrutiny in South Africa that the Kiwi faced on his own soil, and having masterminded a first Lions series win for 16 years in Australia four years ago before drawing 1-1 with the All Blacks, he should probably be in contention to take on Hansen’s job if he leaves after the 2019 Rugby World Cup as is expected.

Instead, Hansen’s assistant, Ian Foster, appears to have been groomed for the role – which certainly makes sense given the success under the pair over the last six years – but just mention Gatland’s name to rugby hacks on the other side of the world and they will laugh themselves to sleep.