Laporte to quit

Laporte to quit

24 May 2006

French rugby union coach Bernard Laporte will quit his job at his contract’s end after next year’s World Cup.

“One thing is for sure, I will not be coach and I will not take over at a club,” Laporte told the weekly Rugby magazine when asked about his future after the next World Cup.

But he added that if he were ever to return to rugby, it would be to Paris giants Stade Francais, the club he led from the third division in 1995 to French champions three years later.

“That club taught me that above all rugby is a pleasure,” the 41-year-old Laporte said.

Named as France coach in November 1999, Laporte extended his contract by four years after the 2003 World Cup, when his side finished fourth.

He has also led the French side to three Six Nations titles (2002, 2004 and 2006), the first two after completing Grand Slams.

“I want to do something else,” Laporte said, expressing his interest in the food growing business. “When you’re a coach of a team you can’t do anything else.”

French rugby federation president Bernard Lapasset said Laporte’s comments came as no surprise. “It’s not a revelation for me,” Lapasset told AFP. “We have a very open relationship with Bernard Laporte. It’s part of why he’s lasted so well over the last eight years.”

Lapasset said that any talk of seeking a successor to Laporte was premature: “It’s not at all on the table. We have to get past the World Cup first.”


18 Comments

  • 1.Vinnie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:17 pm

    You guys are soooo slow…

  • 2.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:19 pm

    Damn you Vinnie! :mad:

  • 3.Vinnie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:20 pm

    Bit childish I know but it makes my day to win soemthing.:roll:

  • 4.AJ: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:20 pm

    Off the topic, on the top left hand side of the page the SARugby Magazine on Sale now story is sad. I went to 2 CNA`s and an exclusive books and couldn`t find it. And its not like I stay in Pofadder, I stay in Joburg!
    Never mind, I bought the Rugby World SA, just as good, maybe better.

  • 5.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:23 pm

    AJ, which CNA’s? (6)

  • 6.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:24 pm

    Ek was by die drankwinkel en hulle het ook nie gehad nie… :roll:

  • 7.AJ: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:25 pm

    First in Bedfordview and then today at Clearwaters in Roodepoort. The exclusive books there too.
    Not a biggie, I still buy the mag, it`s not as readily available as it maybe should be and the comp is picking it`s game up. I find the other mag even at petrol stations!

  • 8.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:27 pm

    Cheers, I live in joburg too and find it hard to get. Will inform the people…cheers

  • 9.Spook: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:37 pm

    Ja Andrew i have also had the same problems. Got find it. When did it go on sale?

  • 10.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:46 pm

    lol @ AJ!!! Post #4, “Off the topic” not one of the posts have been about the article!

    LMFAO! :lol:

  • 11.Andrew: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 14:51 pm

    Spook, it went on sale Monday. Where do you have problems…?

  • 12.Spook: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 15:06 pm

    Well, im in the Boksburg area, tried my local CNA, Pick n Pay, Spar and most of the petrol stations. But ill have another look today!

  • 13.seamus: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 15:11 pm

    ‘Alo Monsieur Mallet? Ziis is ze FRU. Wi believe zat ‘uo are tired of zat shiit Stomeerz side and were wondering if ‘uou wanted a real job

  • 14.RedCard: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 15:36 pm

    SOunds a bit German, seamus.

  • 15.Swapo: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 15:55 pm

    Get the Frenchman to coach our backs…

  • 16.rednik: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 17:42 pm

    Laporte could grow mielies outside Joburg and coach the Lions.

  • 17.Tony: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 19:32 pm

    Mallet to coach the Frogs???

  • 18.Mackie: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2006, 23:29 pm

    Haai siestog!
    No doubt the rest of the world wont miss him!

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