Wales head coach Warren Gatland has announced that he will step down from his position following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
As reported by the BBC, the 52-year-old believes the time will have finally come to return home after concluding an epic 12-year reign with the Welsh national rugby team.
“I’m here until 2019 and the plan for me then is definitely to come home for a period,” Gatland told New Zealand broadcaster Radio Sport.
The New Zealander has proven to be one of the best coaches in the Northern Hemisphere after leading his side to two Grand Slams which, in turn, has seen his name be linked to a number of high-profile jobs, including the possibility of taking over the England job from Stuart Lancaster.
However, Gatland has no desires to remain in Europe and will even consider a break from coaching should he fail to find a club back home.
“If I was involved in provincial rugby or Super Rugby, that would be great, but if I’m not, I may have to go to the beach for six months or 12 months, put my feet up and take a bit of a break.
“That’s the plan. I’ve been away for long enough. I’m 52, so hopefully I’ve got plenty more years left coaching.
“Post-2019 definitely the plan is to come back home to New Zealand.”
Current Wales assistant Rob Howley will now be considered one of the favourites for the role in the future after previously holding a caretaker role with the national team in 2012 after Gatland suffered two broken heels before then taking the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.
