Andy Farrell to take over as Ireland manager after World Cup as Joe Schmidt announces retirement
IRISH rugby coach Joe Schmidt has announced he will retire from coaching after the 2019 World Cup and Andy Farrell (pictured above with Schmidt) will succeed him as Ireland boss.
The New Zealand native had been widely touted as a future All Blacks coach, but he has announced that he will finish coaching following next autumn’s tournament in Japan.
“I have decided to finish coaching and will prioritise family commitments after the Rugby World Cup in 2019,” Schmidt said in a statement issued by the IRFU.
“I feel that Irish rugby is in good hands. The management and players have been incredible to work with and the tremendous support we have had, particularly at home in the Aviva, but wherever we have travelled, has been uplifting.”
Schmidt (53) was appointed in 2013 after three years in charge of Leinster and has overseen the most successful period in Ireland’s rugby history.
Ireland have won three Six Nations titles under Schmidt, including a Grand Slam in 2018, and risen to the number two spot in the world rankings.
They have beaten all three southern hemisphere super-powers with a first win on South African soil in 2016 and a series win in Australia in 2018.
