Magne quits as Brive coach

Moving on: Olivier Magne

Olivier Magne has quit his position as Coach of Top 14 club Brive. The name of his successor has not been revealed but Leicester scrum-half Christophe Laussucq heads the list of possibilities.

After a stunning victory over French heavy weights Toulouse on Friday, which secured Brive a place in the Top 14 next season, Magne and the club management came to a mutual agreement to end his tenure as coach.

The former French international, a veteran of 89 caps for his country, arrived at the club during the inter-season as a player but would soon be asked to change roles.

In November last year, after just two games of the new season, Magne was named as Richard Crespy's replacement following defeat to Biarritz. Seven months later, Brive are sure of avoiding relegation having beaten both defending Champions Stade Français and Toulouse in the last fortnight.

Rumours of Magne's possible departure have been circulating for weeks now as the former loose forward entered into negotiations with the Brive hierarchy with a project for the club's future in mind. Already known as being a free thinker from his days as a player, Magne's vision for Brive has is said to have not been received with the enthusiasm he had hoped for, resulting in the decision to part ways at the end of the season.

Praised for his role in bringing to the fore young players such as full-back Alexis Palisson and fly-half Fabrice Estebanez, speculation is mounting that the former Dax, Brive, Clermont and London Irish player is heading for Biarritz where he could take over from Patrice Lagisquet.

The timing of the announcement comes as no coincidence as club president Patrick Sébastien revealed in a statement.

"We thank Olivier for the excellent work done over the course of this season. Our objective to stay in the Top 14 fixed last September has been achieved. We wish Olivier Magne an excellent career," read the statement.

Christophe Laussucq, who played his last game for Leicester in last Saturday's Guinness Premiership Final is reportedly the favourite to join manager Laurent Seigne at Brive's helm.

The former France, Stade Français, Bègles-Bordeaux, Bourgoin, Pau and Castres scrum-half has openly stated his excitement at the possibility of coaching a Top 14 club and has been in negotiations with Brive for many weeks.