(FRANCE) French Federation president Bernard Laporte has revealed the next national team coach will not come from overseas.
The news arrives after a referendum featuring the country’s amateur clubs resulted in 59% of those polled saying they would not support a foreigner taking charge of the side when Jacques Brunel leaves after the 2019 World Cup.
Laporte, who coached the national team between 1999 and 2007, had been part of the panel that had drawn up a shortlist thought to include Sir Clive Woodward, John Mitchell, Warren Gatland and Vern Cotter.
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A first ever overseas coach has been mooted following Les Bleus’ recent struggles, but Laporte says the federation will respect the decision and look closer to home for Brunel’s successor.
It has been an eventful week for the body after it was ordered to pay former boss Guy Noves substantial compensation for wrongful dismissal.
The 65-year-old became the first incumbent coach to be sacked from his position when he was dismissed in December 2017 following allegations of serious misconduct, but a labour tribunal found in his favour.
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