Warren Gatland's daughter has called out former Wales players in an Instagram post following her father's exit from his Wales post yesterday.
Sixteen-one-year-old Gatland left his Wales head coach role with immediate effect on Tuesday after a disastrous second stint as national team boss. He has been unable to win an international match since October 2023 against Georgia.
Warren's daughter Gabby has taken to Instagram to show support for her father, and pin-pointed negativity from former Wales players as a factor in the struggles.
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"Proud of you always dad," wrote Gabby on her Instagram story. "You've given your all to Welsh rugby over the past 14 years - while living on the other side of the world from your family.
"I'm so proud of all your successes, but what I'm most proud of is that you returned to Wales to try and help them become a strong and winning nation again.
"Unfortunately the issues were deeper than you could control and the negativity that has come from not only the media, but ex-players who you brought so much success to is incomprehensible. How quick people are to forget how much you did for Welsh rugby is beyond me.
"The Welsh fans are the most passionate in the world and I hope they can get behind the team for a better future.
"Time to come home (heart emoji)"
The likes of ex-Wales players Mike Phillips, Tom Shanklin and Dan Biggar have either criticised Gatland or suggested it's time for him to go over the course of his second tenure. Back in the autumn, Phillips did not mince his words after Wales lost 24-19 to Fiji in Cardiff.
"Loads of positives, yeah?" Phillips wrote on X after a Gatland interview. "You’re on 600k a year and don’t even have to win! How the WRU bring this guy back is just nuts! Laughing all the way to the bank.
"When I see this guy talking about family makes me cringe. Did he speak to me at the end of my career? Did he f! I won for this guy. This bloke is only out for himself, and it kills me to see all this bulls**t praise he is getting. He deserves to be kicked out, like he did to so many quality Welsh players."
After the defeat to Australia in the autumn, Shanklin said it was time for Gatland to go, despite recognising his previous achievements.
"I've never seen him like the way he was after the Australia game. I feel sorry for him after all he did for Welsh rugby," Shanklin said. "But there has to be accountability for this run and not just from the head coach, but the WRU as well.
"Warning signs have been ignored about too much focus on the national side and not enough on the regions and academies to develop players. Gatland offered a short-term fix when he returned, but now it's time for a new coach with a fresh voice bringing fresh ideas.
"We can't play physical rugby any more because we lack size or power, but we're not seeing a plan B and there hasn't been any progress."
