Collazo replaces Galthie as Toulon manager

Patrice Collazo has been named new Toulon manager in place of Fabien Galthie after a disappointing season for the Top 14 giants, club president Mourad Boudjellal announced Wednesday.

Galthie, who oversaw Toulon's exits from both the European Champions Cup and Top play-offs, is the fifth manager to have been removed from the post in two years following Bernard Laporte, Diego Dominguez, Mike Ford and Richard Cockerill.

"This morning Fabien Galthie presented his resignation to Toulon Rugby Club. A resignation which I accepted," Boudjellal said.

Galthie's departure "is my failure, it's a disappointment. We were dealing with someone competent but it didn't work out", Boudjellal added.

Former France scrum-half Galthie will, however, stay at Toulon where he will assume charge of the youth training centre in an unpaid role, free to leave the club at any point.

Collazo, who was previously with La Rochelle, will be aided by ex-Toulon players Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (defence, line-out) and Sebastien Tillous-Borde (backs).