Former Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika could head to Montpellier as soon as January according to a report by RugbyPass today.
Cheika exited the scene as head coach of the Australian national team last month after they were knocked out of the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals by England and has been touted with a move to the French Top 14 giants since as a director of rugby.
However, it now appears as though that move could happen sooner rather than later with Cheika set to take over from Vern Cotter, who was moved into the role earlier this year having been the head coach of the side previously.
Cotter’s contract with the club is set to expire come the end of the season, but RugbyPass claim a source close to the club believes that a deal between Cheika and Montpellier is as good as done to see him come in in two months time.
If it goes ahead it would see Cheika oversee current head coach Xavier Garbajosa in a director of rugby role, which in a way seems odd with Cheika previously stating that he didn’t like the set-up when he was being overseen by Scott Johnson during his time with the Wallabies.
Although it could be different when he is the man upstairs and it would be a big boost for Montpellier with the 52-year-old having experience at the highest level in France having previously had the role with Stade Francais as well as his head coach success with Leinster.
His role in bringing players to the Leinster set-up will be of interest to owner Mourad Altrad, who will hope he can give the club an edge on attracting the top Aussie talent to French shores.
