Warren Gatland has said he will not be fixated on becoming the All Blacks coach when he steps down from his role with Wales after the 2019 World Cup.
Steve Hansen and Warren Gatland chat after the Lions series. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The New Zealander, who was in charge of the British and Irish Lions side which drew this year's series with the All Blacks 1-1, has been at the helm of the Welsh team for 11 years.
Gatland's contract expires after the next World Cup in Japan and he could well move back to New Zealand after that.
The former Waikato hooker told Newstalk ZB he had given thought to what his next job would be and indicated his primary focus was not taking control of New Zealand's top team.
"There are not a lot of big jobs in rugby and you have to be in the right place at the right time, but if that opportunity came along to do Super Rugby in 2020 or 2021 that would be great.
"I've never said I wanted to be an All Blacks coach.
"But I think you need to come back and be involved in Super Rugby first, and that's what I would like to do. That would be the natural progression. And if you are successful that's how these things work."
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has not confirmed when he will finish in the role but he is expected by most to do so after the 2019 World Cup, when his contract also expires.
Gatland believed All Blacks assistant Ian Foster would step into the top job when Hansen did finish.
When asked if he would be interested in coaching New Zealand, though, Gatland did not give a definitive response.
"With the Lions it wasn't something I actively chased, people knock on your door and ask if you want to be involved," he told Newstalk ZB.
"With the Lions, or any big team, it can be hard to say no, and that's usually how these things work.
"If I come back in 2019 and take six months off and go lay on the beach and no one comes knocking at my door, then I'll stay at the beach."