"It's a personal decision," he said visibly moved at a press conference in Buenos Aires.

"It's no one's fault, neither the staff nor the players, it's a cycle" that is ending.

"It was something I had thought about, which I had talked about with my family," added Ledesma, who says he "consulted a lot" before making his announced decision without any warning sign.

"I have always felt very supported by the UAR (the Argentine rugby federation, editor's note), the staff, the players (...) It has been an incredible adventure, with a lot of good and bad things that have helped us. made better," he said.

But "I also believe that last year we did not see an improvement, as had been the case before. A cycle is ending", he repeated.

The defeat against Ireland (53-7) on November 21, the most severe correction under his mandate, was perhaps one too many, signing a record of eight wins, three draws and 22 defeats, a success rate of 29%.

At the World Cup-2023, Argentina will want to erase the failure of elimination in the first round in 2019 in an ultra tough group.

In France, she will be in pool D, with England, Japan, Samoa and a team from the qualifications of the American zone.

Forever the first

Under Ledesma, 48, the Pumas secured their first and only clinched victory over the All Blacks.

A glorious page signed during the Tri-Nations 2020, after a year spent without playing due to the pandemic.

It was November 17 in Australia and a clear 25-15 victory ended 32 straight defeats and a draw against New Zealand, the only team the Argentines had never beaten.

"He led the team to the top. Thank you for what you have done for Argentinian rugby", wrote on Twitter his friend Argentinian rugby player Augustin Pichot, with whom he played under the Pumas jersey (84 selections).

After beginnings in Argentina, Ledesma's journey as a player began in Narbonne (2001-2003) before continuing in Castres (2003-2005) and ending in apotheosis in Clermont between 2005 and 2011 with the first Bouclier de Brennus from ASM history in 2010.

Argentina coach Mario Ledesma before the Rugby Championship match against Australia on September 25, 2021 in Townsville (Australia) Patrick HAMILTON AFP / Archives

The rough hooker then embarked on a coaching career.

First a season at the Stade Français, then in Montpellier where he arrived in the summer of 2012 as assistant to a certain Fabien Galthié.

But the collaboration went wrong between the two men and, fired from Montpellier, Mario Ledesma had gone to the other side of the world to take care of the scrum in Australia.

Then returned to the country in 2018 to train the province of Jaguares and Pumas.

The names of Felipe Contepomi (Leinster rear coach) and Gonzalo Quesada (main coach of Stade Français) are mentioned by the press as possible contenders for the chair left vacant.

© 2022 AFP