The New Zealander’s first stint in charge between 2008 and 2019 saw him take the nation to new heights, winning three grand slams and reaching two World Cup semi-finals, but he struggled to get the best out of his players after returning to the role at the end of 2022.
Warren Gatland has admitted that he is “hurting” after his second stint in charge of Walesw was brought to an end, but stressed that his exit was the “best decision for everybody”.
Gatland’s tenure as head coach ended by mutual consent last week just two rounds into the Six Nations after the veteran presided over a run of 14 consecutive defeats.
“When I’d made that decision, my wife Trudi said to me, ‘If you hadn’t made that decision yourself, I would have said do you think it’s the best time to move on?’.
And having questioned himself in the wake of the defeat to Italy that proved to be his final fixture in charge, Gatland reached the conclusion that his departure was the right call.
