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He continues: "We still have plenty of work to do this season in hopefully securing a third Premiership title and that's my main priority at the moment. We've taken some criticism lately with regards to having been a great team, but not being a great club. Bricks and mortar don't make a great club, yet despite being initially ownerless, and homeless, when the professional era began, it's been the people and history that have helped us to achieve our results. Only four teams have ever won the Premiership, and one of them is us. I'm proud to have been associated with a great club."
Gatland joined Wasps from Ireland as forwards coach in January 2002, and was appointed Director of Rugby two months later following Nigel Melville's departure to Gloucester. He took charge with the club languishing at the bottom of the league table and had an immediate impact, winning six of the final seven games. That season Wasps finished seventh in the league, narrowly missing out on a Heineken Cup place.
The former All Black then led the club to four major trophies in two seasons, winning the 2002/03 Parker Pen Challenge Cup, two successive Zurich Premiership titles and last season's Heineken Cup. Gatland has also added the 2003 Zurich Challenge and 2004 Zurich Anglo Celtic Challenge Cups to the trophy cabinet. In the clubs 138-year history, the Gatland years are undoubtedly the club's most successful of all time.
London Wasps failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of this season's Heineken Cup. Their double defeat to two-times European champions Leicester Tigers proving costly, but despite this Galtand will leave with the full support of players and fans alike.
Club captain Lawrence Dallaglio paid this tribute: ""Historically, London Wasps have always produced good results but since Warren took charge those good results have turned into silverware. I have no doubt that whatever he does in the future it will be a success. On behalf of the players, it's been a privilege and pleasure to work under him and behalf of all players we wish him well."
Club Chairman Chris Wright said: "Warren has informed us of his wish to leave the club and return to New Zealand with his family at the end of this season. The Board of Directors will meet later this month to discuss his request but is likely not to stand in his way. Warren has taken this club to the pinnacle of English and European rugby and we are surprised and saddened by his decision. However, we respect his choice of wanting to be with his family in New Zealand. We wish him well with his future endeavours and thank him for his contribution to the club."
