Wales want to keep ABs target Gatland
Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:46
Coach in demand: Wales boss Warren Gatland. (c) Gallo
WRU Chief Executive Roger Lewis is hopeful that he can persuade Wales coach Warren Gatland to sign a contract extension beyond next year's World Cup in New Zealand.
Negotiations are ongoing for the 2008 Grand Slam winning coach to extend his contract by another two years.
Gatland is rumoured to be a possible successor to All Blacks coach Graham Henry, which would be difficult for the New Zealander to turn down.
The other frontrunner for the New Zealand job is current assistant coach Steve Hansen, you ironically has also been Wales' head coach.
"The certainty is that Warren is with us through to the World Cup," Lewis told BBC Sport.
"And now we need to look very carefully what we do beyond 2011 and those conversations have already started and we're looking at the 'what ifs' and the options around it.
"I want a winning coach and I believe what Warren has delivered so far is outstanding for Wales so that gives you a glimpse of my support for Warren.
"But there are other things to bear in mind with an international coach such as Warren is what else is on his agenda for his career and also his life in general.
"He has two teenage children and we need to be mindful of that. It is not just a question of what we want but also what he wants and also how it fits in with his career and life as well.
"I think Warren has been outstanding for Wales and must get what is right for Wales but Warren as well. But the coming months will be important for what we do after the World Cup."
Gatland has admitted to having a "few options" available to him, with a return to his home town of Hamilton to coach Super 14 side, the Chiefs, also a possibility.
Current Chiefs boss Ian Foster is set to vacate his post at the end of 2011.
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