Galthie extends Top 14 contract with Montpellier

Former France captain Fabien Galthie has put an end to the speculation over his future a Montpellier coach by extending his contract until 2017 with the 2011 Top 14 finalists.

The 44-year-old, who was capped 64 times and was world player of the year in 2002, has enjoyed a hugely successful spell in charge of Montpellier since he arrived as coach in 2010.

Galthie; along with his coaching mentor Eric Bechu, who died in January, established Montpellier as a Top 14 force, taking them to the end-of-season play-offs three times and producing a welter of young talent for the French national side, including fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc and backrow forawrd Fulgence Ouedragogo.

“I was coming to the end of my contract, with just a season remaining on it and there are moments in one’s life where it is necessary to make a choice,” said Galthie in a statement released by the club.

Club president Mohed Alttrad, who has backed several high profile signings in the clse season, including veteran French prop Nicolas Mas, said he was glad Galthie had signed.

“I am delighted the confidence that Fabien has placed in my ambitions for the club,” he said.

“It was important to consolidate the position we have achieved in the past few years and also to target climbing even higher,” he added.

Montpellier, beaten in the play-offs last season by eventual champions Castres, begin their campaign against European champions Toulon on August 16.