Samoa's Prime Minister says the outgoing Manu Samoa rugby coach made the right decision to resign.
Namulauulu Alama Ieremia quit at the weekend, after the Manu lost their opening four tests of the year and fell short of automatic qualification for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The former All Blacks and Manu Samoa centre managed only two wins from his ten internationals at the helm, against Tonga and Canada in 2016.
Alama Ieremia at Samoa training before facing the All Blacks in June. Photo: Samoa Rugby Union / Wayne Dowd
He previously spent a decade as an assistant coach in at clubs in Japan and New Zealand, as well as two years with Manu Samoa before being elevated to the top job.
The Prime Minister and Chair of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, said Ieremia's tenure did not bring the expected results and his successor must be "a coach that will win us games".
"I do not really know whether he has reached his depth," said Tuilaepa.
"He has quite some time now with us and the results have not been favourable so perhaps he will need some time to think about his future too and save us the trouble of having to make a choice whether to have him continue or not."
Tuilaepa said the SRU will now go through the normal process to advertise for a successor and said there was plenty of time to fill the position prior to the end of year tour.
The Prime Minister of Samoa and Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, the Honourable Tuilaepa Fatialofa Aiono Neioti Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi. Photo: Photosport