South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White is set to be named manager of Top 14 side Montpellier Herault Rugby, according to L’Equipe on Thursday.
The 51-year-old — a two-time World Coach of the Year — has signed a six-month contract, a well-informed source said.
His appointment will place almost unbearable pressure on head coach Fabien Galthie, as White will be the former France captain’s superior.
Galthie, who has been seen as a potential successor to present France coach Philippe Saint-Andre should he step down after next year’s World Cup, has seen his position at the club weakened after a seven-match losing run dating back to Oct. 11 which only ended in their game last Saturday with a narrow win over Toulouse.
They are presently in sixth place, the last position for the post-season playoffs, 11 points off leaders and defending champions Toulon.
“White is coming with a view to being in charge of the team completely,” the source told L’Equipe. “He will be above Galthie. He will have the role of manager, that is what has been negotiated.”
However, a close friend claims that Galthie — who has guided the team from nowhere to become a regular contender for the French title and taking them to the 2010-2011 final — will feel the appointment has pushed him into a corner where he has no option but to resign.
Galthie, who also coached his first club Stade Francais CASG to the 2004-2005 French championship and European Cup finals, was allowed to stay on after Montpellier president Mohad Altrad held talks with the players before the Toulouse game, but only if the 45-year-old could turn their fortunes around.
“Galthie has the feeling that they want to make him so disgusted that he leaves and therefore is less costly to them in terms of a pay out,” the friend told L’Equipe.
Since leaving the Springboks post in 2007 White has held coaching posts with Australian side the Brumbies and then as director of rugby with South African outfit the Sharks, but resigned in September and has been acting as a technical adviser to the Tonga national team.
Montpellier’s next game is an away trip to bottom side Castres Olympique tomorrow.
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