Warren Gatland already lined up for new job following Wales exit
Warren Gatland is reportedly already being lined up for a new role after his Wales exit.
The ex-Wales head coach left his role with immediate effect on Tuesday after a dismal start to his Six Nations campaign. Wales have now lost 14 international matches in a row and the defeat against Italy in Rome marked the end of the road for the New Zealander.
Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt has been appointed as interim head coach for the remainder of the Six Nations while the search for a permanent boss begins.
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For Gatland, though, where next?
Well, sources at Ruck suggest that Gatland has been in talks with Sky Sports to join their punditry team for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. The report suggests an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.
The Lions face Australia in three Test matches on July 19, 26 and August 2. There are a further five matches against Australian club sides and one game against an invitational Australia and New Zealand team.
Gatland was head coach of the Lions in 2013, 2017 and 2021, where he won, drew and lost respectively. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has taken over the reigns from Gatland for this tour Down Under.
It has been revealed by Welsh Rugby Union CEO Abi Tierney that Gatland waived a pay-out worth in the region of six figures.
"The agreement I and the WRU reached on Monday, I can confirm there was no settlement with Warren. It was by mutual agreement. No [pay-off]," explained Tierney.
"He said he felt it was in the best interests for Welsh rugby for him to go. I think he’s always put Welsh rugby first and that was his main driving factor. He gave me no sense he’d had enough but when he no longer felt it was the right time for him to be in post, then it was the right time for him to go."
