Warren Gatland has confirmed that he will extend his stay in Wales until after the 2019 World Cup. He began his tenure in Wales in 2007, honouring his new contract until 2019 would comfortably make him the longest serving top flight international coach. A record that would hold significance for Gatland after he was unfairly sacked by Ireland after just three years. His only venture into international management before he arrived in Wales. There is a feeling that Gatland wants that record to prove that he has matured into a successful international manager.
As well as this Gatland knows that he is creating a legacy at the Millennium Stadium. He has an excellent core of young players who will be with him until his third World Cup as Welsh coach in 2019. They are putting together a record that rivals the great team of the 1970's. The records are beginning to tumble, the 30-3 win over England broke the record winning margin over the old enemy set by that great team. The next one that Gatland has his eye on is winning three championships in a row. After winning the six nations twice, they are out to do what no other team in history has achieved and go one better.
Gatland has provided stability to the job of Welsh national coach. Prior to the him taking the reigns in 2007 Wales had nine different coaches in ten years. The stability Gatland has given the squad is one of the most important parts of his legacy, and no doubt has been a contributing factor to Wales' three Six Nations wins under his guidance.
In the press conference as they announced the press conference the WRU Chief Roger Lewis said that "everyone in Wales loves him". Gatland responded saying, "I have to disagree, I don't think I'm loved by every single person in Wales". He has had his criticism but he has dealt with it. It is one of the most high pressure jobs in world sport and the word that people involved in Welsh rugby often use is 'bubble'. Wales is that bubble and the pressure intensifies especially around big matches. After six years in Wales Warren Gatland knows that although he is the most important selector, there are three million others who believe they are equally important.
The passion for rugby in Wales is something that Gatland likes, it obviously has strong links with his homeland of New Zealand. According to Gatland he has had no thoughts about going back home and being the next All Black coach, although it is a question that has been posed to him many times. For now he has his mind set on 2015 and the World Cup. As a coach the Gatland has won everything, apart from the Webb Ellis Trophy. He will be aiming to break that particular record more than any other in a couple of years time.
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