Former Ireland coach Warren Gatland has replaced Nigel Melville as director of rugby at English premiership club Wasps.
In a statement on its official website, Wasps said Melville had resigned on Friday and that New Zealander Gatland would assume the role of head coach at the premiership side.
Gatland joined Wasps as a coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract on January 17th but had been expected to work under Melville, who said at the time he was "delighted" with Gatland's appointment.
Earlier this week, Melville claimed he had been approached by Munster to succeed Declan Kidney next season and his departure from Wasps is likely to increase that speculation. The former British and Irish Lion has also been linked with Gloucester.
Gatland was replaced by Eddie O’Sullivan as Ireland coach last November even though Ireland had won six of their last eight internationals under his charge.
A former Waikato team mate of current New Zealand coach John Mitchell, Gatland played hooker for the All Blacks from 1988-89 but spent all of his international career as understudy to first-choice Sean Fitzpatrick.
He toured Ireland in 1989 with the All Blacks and chose to stay in the country. He coached Galwegians before returning to New Zealand in 1996 to coach Thames Valley in the domestic competition. He returned to Ireland to take over Connacht during the 1997-98 season.
Gatland succeeded Brian Ashton as Ireland's national coach in 1998 but was heavily criticised for Ireland's disastrous World Cup in 1999 when they lost to Argentina 28-24 in the playoff for a quarter-final place.