Waikato coach Jono Gibbes still sought by French club La Rochelle - report

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Jono Gibbes at FMG Stadium Waikato with assistant coaches Nathan White and Roger Randle.

French club La Rochelle have not given up on luring former All Black Jono Gibbes as their director of rugby, according to French media reports.

L'Equipe sports newspaper reported on Wednesday that the 41-year-old could take up the vacant role in November after coaching Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup campaign.

Gibbes, 41, quit his post as Ulster's director of rugby to return to coach Waikato for family reasons.

He was granted a release by the Northern Island club on compassionate grounds in March, but in May went to La Rochelle to talk to the French Top 14 club about potentially taking over there from former French test prop Patrice Callazo.

Gibbes' visit - three days before Ulster's PRO 14 playoffs match with Ospreys - was met with some dismay by supporters in Belfast. It also appeared to catch Waikato officials by surprise with Waikato Rugby Union chief executive Blair Foote saying at the time that they were expecting Gibbes to return and "if something has changed ... we know nothing about that".

Gibbes was forced to defend his visit, claiming to BBC Northern Ireland that the team's buildup had not been compromised because he went to France on the players' day off.

But former Ulster and Ireland loose forward Stephen Ferris told the BBC that Gibbes had "some nerve".

Waikato announced on May 28 that Gibbes had returned to take up his contract, posting a photograph of the ex-All Blacks lock with coaching assistants Nathan White and Roger Randle.

However, French sports newspaper L'Equipe has reported that La Rochelle have not "totally abandoned the Jono Gibbes track".

L'Equipe reported that the former New Zealand Māori captain could take the vacant director of rugby role in La Rochelle in November.

"According to our information, the track leading to Jono Gibbes has not been abandoned by Stade Rochelais."

The report detailed Gibbes' visit to La Rochelle and his departure from Ulster for "family reasons".

"It claimed an agreement had been reached between Gibbes and La Rochelle whereby the club would allow the New Zealander to arrive in November.

"This would allow Jono Gibbes to guide the province of Waikato during the entire [Mitre 10] Cup [August-October]..."

L'Equipe said the ball was now in Gibbes' court.

La Rochelle have appointed four coaches for next season, including former All Blacks lock Jason Eaton - just retired as La Rochelle's captain - and former France test back Xavier Garbajosa.

Gibbes spent a decade in Europe, first going to Ireland in 2008 as Leinster's forwards coach.

He was forwards coach at French club Clermont Auvergne from 2014 to 2017 before moving to Ulster as head coach, taking over as director of rugby when Australian coach Les Kiss was replaced mid-season.

Meanwhile, Callazo - the former La Rochelle coach - has been appointed as general manager of rugby at Toulon, replacing Fabien Galthie, who stepped down at his own request to run the club's academy.