France news
Vern Cotter forced into embarrassing climbdown
ESPN Staff
June 4, 2013
Clermont Auvergne head coach Vern Cotter, Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers, Heineken Cup, Stade Marcel Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand, France, December 11, 2011
Despite media speculation, Clermont Auvergne will keep Vern Cotter © Getty Images
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Clermont Auvergne have decided to retain Vern Cotter as their coach despite an apparent falling out following last week's announcement he would be coaching Scotland from June 2014.

An emergency meeting of the club's board on Monday agreed to allow Cotter to see out the final year of his contract, but he was forced into an embarrassing climbdown after making comments critical of the club.

"I regret having put the players and the club in an awkward position," he said. "There was clumsiness on my part and a lot of misunderstanding that has been publicised more than I would have liked.

"I now have only one desire, which is to draw a line under the last week and turn to next season where we have great ambitions at Clermont Auvergne. I am pleased the club trusts me for next season and I am determined to have a successful finish to my Auvergne adventure."

Last week the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) said that Cotter would not take up the role until his contract with Clermont Auvergne expired - there were strong rumours the board was not prepared or able to buy him out of his contract - but almost inevitably in the days that followed the situation became messy.

Rene Fontes, the club president, claimed Cotter tendered his resignation but the coach then denied this. The pair held talks on Saturday and there was speculation in the French media that Cotter might be dismissed.

Behind the scenes, officials accused Cotter of being "disrespectful" towards the club and there was anger at him appearing in Scottish kit at the SRU press conference, while Cotter made some blunt attacks on the club in the French press.

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