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A surprise announcement came on Thursday evening that Wales coach Warren Gatland would be taking over as Head Coach of the Chiefs following the 2019 World Cup. It comes just hours following the confirmation that Colin Cooper would be stepping down from his position after two years in charge.
Gatland, 55, has been the most sought-after free agent in the sport since confirming he would be leaving his post with Wales after 12 years in the lead role. The English and French unions were linked with offers for the three-time British & Irish Lions Head Coach, but Gatland has made no secret of his desire to return to his native New Zealand.
It’s a return home for Gatland, who hails from Hamilton and played 140 games for the Waikato province before retiring in 1995. He would then coach the side for three seasons beginning in 2005, and was a technical advisor for the Chiefs for two seasons in that time. This will be his first role as Head Coach of a Super Rugby side.
The contract will run for four seasons, though Gatland has been afforded an unusual accommodation. Having recently been confirmed as Head Coach of the Lions for a fourth time on their 2021 tour to South Africa, he will step away from the Chiefs during the 2021 season though it’s currently undecided who will take over in an interim capacity.
After a poor start to the 2019 campaign, the Chiefs rebounded to make the Quarter Finals where they were defeated by the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. Newly re-appointed Canada captain Tyler Ardron played a leading role with the club this season and will have the opportunity to play under Gatland in 2020.
