- Warren Gatland presided over the worst loss of the country in the history of the country
- He believes that his departure was the right decision, but the circumstances hurt him
- Gatland also pointed to several of his former players who criticized him fiercely
Warren Gatland shared his pain after leaving his role as coach in Wales during the six nations before pointing to those who believe they did not “fought” for him.
Gatland admitted that it was time for the change in the Welsh rugby after moving away, after having presided over a horror race of 14 consecutive international defeats. The loss of 22-15 of Italy in Rome earlier this month proved to be his last game in charge.
Wales moved quickly to ensure his replacement in Matt Sherratt, who will supervise his remaining matches against Ireland, Scotland and England interim.
After returning for his second period as a chief coach in December 2022, Gatland's mandate saw him win only six of his 26 games. Since then, he admitted that he knew that his time had been put after the defeat against Italy, despite his attempt to hide him during his press duties.
“It was not as planned,” Gatland told The telegraph. And, you know, he disappointed us. Probably in the past it would have been one of those games in which I would have made myself absolutely crazy in the locker room later.
'But the players were suffering. The staff was suffering. We shoot in the foot in terms of a certain precision of the discipline. The kick game was poor.
Warren Gatland has revealed his pain after leaving his role as coach in chief of Wales
The defeat of 22-15 in the six nations of Italy proved to be Gatland's last game in charge
Gatland believes that his departure during the tournament was the correct course of action for all parties.
'And you enter a press conference, and ask you the same questions about whether your heart is still at work. You are questioning yourself, but, of course, you will never deliver a main appointment for someone who says you are.
“On Sunday returning, I was surprised how many followers they approached me at the airport and told me:” Good luck. Go ahead. We are behind you. ”
'I was a little overwhelmed by that, really. I didn't expect that. That makes you have a little doubts about those decisions.
Gatland was subject to critical fierce from a host of his former Wales players after offering the worst loser streak in the country's history, but he believes that the large amount of negativity in the media did not help his cause.
“I am a reasonably emotional person,” he added. 'You give that facade in terms of not showing everything or too much emotion.
'I felt that there was enough negativity. Not of fans, fans were brilliant.
'I have felt a lot of negativity in the Welsh press and that continued to weigh. I kept thinking: “Where is someone in my corner or someone who fights a little for me?”
However, Gatland believes that his departure was the “best decision” for Welsh rugby.
He also pointed to several of his former players, saying that his criticisms worsened the situation.
Matt Sherratt quickly settled as Gatland's successor on an interim form
“That was the team first, and then Welsh Rugby and then the best decision for me,” he said. 'It's time to get away and give everyone some space to breathe and for someone else to take care and see if they can have an impact.
'It was not just about removing the pressure from the equipment. It was about taking some pressure from the union, giving them a little space to breathe.
'Give some of the other coaches a space to breathe also in terms of pressure. Because everything was aimed at me in terms of selection, the way I played the team, the game plan.
'I am very happy to take all those criticisms and then be the type of autumn. I think it was the right decision for everyone.