Warren Gatland has admitted he is keeping an open mind over a possible return to European rugby.
Former Wasps and Ireland coach Gatland made a successful return to New Zealand rugby as assistant coach of national provincial champions Waikato, earning him a place on the Super 14 franchise's touring staff.
However, the extension of Ian Foster's contract as coach this week has blocked the most direct pathway for Gatland to Super 14 rugby - and ultimately a return to international rugby with the All Blacks.
He returned home for family reasons after a successful stint in the northern hemisphere, but remains open to a possible overseas move.
Gatland told The Waikato Times: 'Personally I'm delighted for him (Foster) and think it's great that he's got security for another couple of years.
'For me I'll probably have to start thinking about looking for a job because I'm out of contract at the end of this year after Waikato.
'I guess it's for me to start thinking about over the next few weeks. I think one of the reasons we came home was to get the kids settled back here.
'We came home for family reasons and to try and see if I could stay employed in New Zealand for a few years and that's still the plan.
'But when you're in such a fragile occupation you never know from season to season.'
