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Stade Francais coach Fabien Galthie confirmed his decision to leave the French Top 14 side at the end of the season. He made the announcement at a media conference on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old former French international scrumhalf has coached the club since 2004 and led them to the French title in 2007.

But Galthie - whose side look all but certain to make the top four and therefore the play-offs for the French title this season - had let it be known over the past few weeks that he wanted a break, and has now confirmed his departure after telling his players last Thursday.

"I'm embarrassed to say this so early in the season," Galthie said at the conference.

"But I had to say so early enough so that the club president could organise things for next season. I didn't want to leave him in the lurch.

"It's a difficult decision to take because being a coach is, I think, what I do best. Every moment I'm involved in coaching is a real pleasure for me, I feel good and am in my element.

"I have been coach for three seasons and I can see there has been significant improvement in the team. But to go any further you would have to change a lot of things and I can't do that now. I have reached my limit and it's best to be honest," added Galthie, who according to sources was devastated when he was overlooked for the vacant national coaching post following Bernard Laporte's departure after the World Cup and instead saw Marc Lievremont appointed.

Stade Francais club president Max Guazzini said later: "As a player and coach at Paris, Fabien Galthie has been in a different league."

"It was me who asked him to coach the club in 2004 after Nick Mallett left, but it was not easy for him because he was a young coach at the time but he rose to the challenge with courage and talent, proving to be a great tactician."

"Fabien has been telling me for some time that he would like to take a break and he got to the point where the situation needed to be dealt with."

As for Galthie's successor, Guazzini added he had received "lots of offers, including two from the Southern Hemisphere, but we haven't made a decision yet."

Former Australian international prop Ewen McKenzie, whose coaching contract with the Sydney-based Super 14 side, the Waratahs, will not be renewed next season, is among the names being touted to succeed Galthie.

AFP