Welsh Rugby Union executive director, Abi Tierney, insisted that the search for the organization of a long -term replacement for Warren Gatland will not be delayed with financial limitations and that he is confident in appointing a superior candidate as the new permanent chief coach of Wales.
As he revealed exclusively for Mail Sport, Tierney eliminated Gatland on Tuesday from his position in charge of the national men's team after he presided over a record streak of 14 consecutive international losses. In what was another transcendental day in the Welsh rugby, Tierney appointed the Head of Cardiff, Matt Sherratt, to take an interim position for the rest of the six nations.
The decision for Gatland to continue was taken by mutual agreement between Neozyre and Tierney and there was no financial agreement or a reward involved.
As a result, Tierney is confident that he can attract a high -profile candidate for the greatest work in Welsh Rugby, although, in his own words, the game is in a “really low reflux.”
Sherratt will be in charge of the remaining 2025 Wales championship games with Ireland, Scotland and England.
But the WRU hopes to have a new permanent appointment in time for Japan's summer tour. Leicester's current chief coach, Michael Cheika, Simon Easterby in Ireland, Franco Smith of Glasgow and Scotland Assistant Steve Tandy are interested in WRU. “The money is there and is in our financial plan,” said Tierney.
The head of the Rugby Welsh Union, Abi Tierney, has insisted that financial limitations will not have a value in their search for a Warren Gatland successor
Gatland's second period as chief coach of Wales came to an end after the defeat against Italy on Saturday
'We will not choose someone based on their cost from that perspective. We are not ruling out at this stage. We will go through a really rigorous process to choose the right person. My phone has not stopped with people interested in communicating.
'I am not underestimating where we are, but for many ambitious coaches, the idea of entering this position and making a difference and changing something is clearly very attractive. And the Welsh Rugby brand and the fact that Rugby in Wales matters much more than in other countries is also enormously attractive.
“I'm sure we can get a main candidate to enter.”
Gatland's second period as Chief coach of Wales has ended. His position was unsustainable. Since he returned to work in December 2022, he won only six of 26 games.
Between 2008 and 2019, Gatland brought an incalculable glory to the Welsh game, winning three Grand Slams of Six Nations and reaching two semifinals of the World Cup.
At one time between 2018 and 2019, Gatland's Wales won 14 games in the turn to briefly become the world number 1 team.
Unfortunately, his return to the position has not been so successful and has ended with symmetry reflected in the back of 14 consecutive losses.
His general record as coach of Wales in two spells is played 151, won 76, lost 73 and drew two.
The result marked the 14th consecutive evidence of Wales, the worst career in the history of the country
Cardiff's coach Matt Sherratt will take the temporary position of the team for the rest of the six nations
“Now is the right time for a change,” Gatland admitted. 'I arrived at the end of this particular chapter, but I am grateful to all those of Wales who have supported me, all the players who have played for me and with all those around me, especially to my management team that have contributed to what we have achieved over the years.
Gatland could not win an international in 2024. But a review of WRU in its position at the end of last year decided to keep it in a position for the six nations of this year, regardless of.
Tierney said he did not regret that decision, insisting that the review process had been “exhaustive.”
He also added that he did not regret having accepted Gatland's offer to resign after Wales was defeated by Italy and finished the lower part of the six nations last season.
Sherratt, which is highly appreciated in Rugby Wesses circles, will be in charge of Cardiff for its United Rugby championship shock with Connacht on Saturday night before joining Wales. It will mean that you will only have a week with the team before your clash of the Six Nations of the Round with Grand Slam Ireland in Cardiff a week on Saturday.
Sherratt hastened on Tuesday to train Cardiff to a WRU press conference where he was presented as the new interim chief of the country.
He said he does not want full -time work and will return to Cardiff at the end of the championship in mid -March. Sherratt's first great call is to make a decision about the back team of the Wales Background Room. Gatland is gone, but his assistants Rob Howley, Jonathan Humphreys, Mike Forshaw, Adam Jones and Neil Jenkins are still in their place.
Given that Sherratt's strength is working on the attack, Howley is likely to follow Gatland out of the exit door with others remaining in position until mid -March.
However, English has ruled out of taking the job permanently
Sherratt could also make personnel changes in the Wales team. Gareth Anscombe, Max Llewellyn and Jarrod Evans, all currently at the Fiesta de las six Nations, could be possible calls. “There was a growing feeling that I was not working and something had to be different,” Tierney said about Gatland's departure.
'Until now, Warren has always felt that he was the right person to take the team forward. I no longer felt that and when that happens, we have to look for a new solution.
'He said he felt it was the best for Welsh rugby for him. I think he has always put the Welsh rugby first and that was his main driving factor.
“It had become inevitable that this was going to happen.”
After 43-0 and 22-15 losses of France and Italy so far in these six nations, Wales has fallen to the 12th in the world classification of rugby, falling below Georgia for the first time.
Tierney has commissioned Sherratt with 'bringing hope back to the Welsh rugby', although he admitted that 'there is no magic bullet' and that significant change will not be fast.
Wales seems likely to finish the six nations with a second consecutive wooden spoon.
'It is very low and we have to change it. They are the same systemic problems that have existed for a long time, “Tierney said about the general state of the Welsh rugby.
'What is clear is that we really need a systemic change that will make the difference and will be sustainable in the long term. It is really difficult to do it quickly.
“I realize that people are impatient and want to see a quick change, but that is difficult.”