Mike Phillips has doubled down on his recent criticism of Warren Gatland with a cheeky reply to Ronan O’Gara’s social media post saying he does not want the Wales job. Last month, following Wales’ loss to Fiji in the Autumn Nations series, retired scrum-half Phillips was released against Gatland, whose record in charge at the end of November extended a record 12 Test defeats in a row.
Commenting on an interview Gatland gave after the Fiji defeat, Phillips wrote to X: “There’s a lot of positive content, right? You’re making $600,000 a year, and you don’t even have to win! How the WRU brought this guy back is absolutely ridiculous! I laughed the whole way to the bank.
“I cringe when I see this person talking about his family. Did he tell me when my career was over? Was he f? I won because of this guy.
“This guy is only out for himself and all that bullshit kills me to see the praise he’s getting. He deserves to be kicked out like so many great Welsh players have been.”
A decision has yet to be made by the WRU on whether Gatland will lead Wales for the 2025 Guinness Six Nations campaign, which begins in France on January 31.
Meanwhile, La Rochelle boss Ronan O’Gara spoke this week about his national team manager ambitions – but said he had no interest in coaching Wales.
“To be honest, I’ve never thought about it like that. “If I were not lacking in humility, I would prefer Ireland, England and France,” he said.
Commenting on O’Gara’s dismissal of the idea of coaching Wales, Phillips wrote: Who wouldn’t accept that! Plus, if you win a few times, you’ll get a gate named after you!”
I don’t think he realizes that if he manages Wales he gets paid £600,000 a year for every game they lose! Who wouldn’t accept that! ? Plus, if you win a few times, you can even get a gate named after you! pic.twitter.com/jOOgGoSq1D
— Mike Phillips (@mikephillips009) December 10, 2024
