'Like Ronaldo going back to Man Utd': Fans react to 'embarrassing' Gatland appointment

The Welsh Rugby Union have made a bold call about 10 months out from the World Cup, as they confirmed Warren Gatland would replace Wayne Pivac as the head coach of Wales.

Super coach Gatland etched his name into Welsh rugby folklore during his decorated first stint in charge of the team, where he guided Wales to two World Cup semi-finals and three Grand Slams.

New Zealand-born Gatland, who was also the head coach of the British and Irish Lions on three tours, is set to return to Wales for next year’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup – and potentially beyond.

While Gatland boasts unparalleled experience in charge of the national team, this appointment may prove to be one of his toughest challenges yet considering the form Wales have been in.

After starting their season with an emphatic 29-7 loss against Ireland in Dublin, Cymru went on to place second last in this year’s Six Nations – which included a thrilling loss to Italy.

While they were able to win one of their three July internationals in South Africa against the reigning World Cup champions, Wales struggled to maintain any momentum during the Autumn Nations Series.

The All Blacks seemed to turn their form around with a dominant display against Wales in Cardiff, and while the men in red bounced back with a seven-point win over Argentina, they finished their year with two disastrous losses.

After a shocking 12-13 loss to Georgia in Cardiff, Wales squandered a 21-point lead against the Wallabies the following weekend.

While the prodigal son in Gatland has returned to lead Wales’ resurgence ahead of the World Cup, some fans on Twitter have expressed why they aren’t so sure that it’s the right move.

This is going to be like Ronaldo going back to Man Utd…. it’s not going to be the dream fairytale everybody hopes it will be 😅

— Leighton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇰🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇰🇷 (@Leightongreat) December 5, 2022

The problem for Wales is all their great players are over the hill. And very little equivalent talent coming through

— Brian Flynn (@Iagodicomo) December 5, 2022

Not going to make a big difference, not got the player depth or ability to compete at top level imo. Bigger structural shake up needed than having a new coach. Hope i’m proved wrong but i just don’t see a new coach turning these players into world beaters.

— Tony Dudley (@TonyDudley5) December 5, 2022

Is going back ever a good thing?

Think of Regan King’s return to the Scarlets, Ronaldo to Man Utd and Thierry Henry to Arsenal.

Just saying.

— Alun Rees (@alunrees61) December 5, 2022

Difficult for Pivac, a season too far for some and others underperforming. Think Gatland may regret returning. But not sure WRU had many options.

— Gtg (@lazy_holidays) December 5, 2022

The Welsh rugby union determined to paper over the cracks for another little while I see, rather than address the problems at source. Embarrassing to see from such a proud rugby nation.

— jonathan o neill (@snookeramerica) December 5, 2022

The cracks will re-emerge.

— DRP (@DRP22108993) December 5, 2022

Good news for Chief Fans. Wales not looking forward. Can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.

— Jordan Bernarde (@Jordan_Bernarde) December 5, 2022

Well my Welsh Rugby cousins, how we feel.about this…think privac was unlucky with injuries to key players in aut.nearly a full team missing if not mistaken..WG will cause an initial reaction and wales with players back to do well in 6ns..but how do ye feel bout this long term??

— barry clarke (@killoebaz11) December 5, 2022

If he stays beyond the next 12 months of pure “firefighting” at Test pro level, will he have a mandate 2024-27 to involve himself in belatedly remedying the structural mess left over from 2003’s botched resource concentration at non-Test pro level…? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/spRdGUJ4sA

— GJPowell (@TheVietGwent) December 5, 2022

Wales’ final two Test matches of the year somewhat summed up where this team was heading a year out from the World Cup.

Change was needed.

And while Gatland is always going to have his critics, a lot of supporters are backing him to help the proud rugby nation return to their former glory.

Last week wales were 25-1 to win next years 6 nations. I punted £25 quid on the off chance Gats came back…… that’s looking like a sound bet now!

— Owain Glynd?r (@IgtIan) December 5, 2022

The messiah returns pic.twitter.com/j5wZeSDpUp

— Grumpy Dumpty (@grumpy_dumpty1) December 5, 2022

We’re winning the world cup

— Liam (@liampag27) December 5, 2022

Great appointment but I feel we should have stayed with Pivac. We almost won a test series in South Africa and almost a grand slam in 2021. The squad is really good whoever is at the helm.

— PaulSimon (@DrPSW1) December 5, 2022

Great choice

— Anjela Galloway (@AnjelaGalloway) December 5, 2022

The king is back long, living the king
I’m so happy that Warren has come back.
Let’s hope everything all works out for him

— darren watts (@dazwales240870) December 5, 2022

My wife predicted this a year ago: she’s just reminded me. I expect I will be reminded repeatedly.

— Steve Mallinson (@Steve_Mallinson) December 5, 2022

pic.twitter.com/WVJWjkzu0O

— Harry (@harrys_72) December 5, 2022

Wales are in Pool C along with familiar foes Australia and Fiji, who they went up against at the 2019 iteration of rugby’s biggest event.

The other two nations in the pool are Georgia and Portugal.