Jake White has recently had spells at both the Sharks and Brumbies © Getty Images

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Montpellier have confirmed World Cup-winning coach Jake White as their new interim boss.

Previous head honcho Fabien Galthié was put on gardening leave by Montpellier president Mohen Altrad on Monday and White has stepped into the void on a six-month consultancy basis. He is joined by Shaun Sowerby who will look after the forwards and Stephane Glas who is retained from Galthié's set-up.

The change in management came in the wake of Montpellier's 27-9 loss to Castres on Sunday, a defeat that leaves them eighth in the Top 14 table.

Though Galthié's still officially an employee of Montpellier, reports in L'Equipe suggest he is likely to be formally dismissed on January 9. However at a press conference on Tuesday, Altrad suggested White, who was in charge of the Sharks earlier this year, and Galthié could potentially work together.

"It is possible, but we'll have to see how each of them behaves," Altrad said. "For my part, I will try to manage the club as best I can. What I have done in the past is still noteworthy. I arrived in 2011, and if you look at the players, there are only three players left. All others are new, there are only stars. Galthié spoke of his "Playstation" team and that was given to him.

"We gave him the means, he was given what he wanted. He said several times that he had never had a president who had given him so much, that he had never had so many stars in his team. He has everything he wants, and it's up to him to do something, to enhance this group to make a team. The addition of stars does not necessarily make a successful team.

"He [Galthié] had all the means necessary, but he has failed. We cannot say that his career here was a success. Will I want to keep Galthié? Will he want to stay? Will we be able to work together? I can tell you that I intend to remain at this club a long time."

Le nouveau staff du @MHR_officiel : Didier Bes, @JWhiterugby , Shaun Sowerby et Stephane glas pic.twitter.com/4PHX8ZypE9

— chds du mhr (@chdsdumhr) December 30, 2014