Italy coach Pierre Berbizier is to leave his post after the World Cup later this year, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Monday.
The 48-year-old Frenchman's time in charge has seen a marked improvement by the Italians -- they won two matches in the Six Nations for the first time this season including their first ever away match -- but his contract finishes at the end of the World Cup in October.
"Pierre Berbizier out of a personal choice said he wanted to return to France at the end of his contract," a spokesperson for FIR said while adding they would like to thank him for what he had already achieved.
Berbizier, who took on the job in April 2005 after John Kirwan was sacked, made his name as a coach when he was in charge of the French national side, guiding them to the 1995 World Cup semi-finals where they lost controversially to hosts South Africa.
The decision by Berbizier, who was capped 56 times by France and captained them 11 times, could mean he fancies his chances at replacing Bernard Laporte as France coach.
Laporte is stepping down after the World Cup which runs from Sept. 7 to Oct. 20.
Italy are in Group C in the World Cup along with New Zealand, Scotland -- who the Italians beat in the Six Nations -- Namibia, Romania and Portugal.
RSS