New Orleans/Munich – The New Orleans Saints surprisingly have to look for a new head coach.
As NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports, longtime successful coach Sean Payton has announced his temporary retirement.
Sources: Sean Payton has informed the #Saints that he’s stepping away.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2022
New Orleans Saints: Payton holds emotional press conference
“I don’t like the word ‘resignation’,” admitted a visibly emotional Payton at a specially called press conference. He still sees his future in football, but does not yet know in what form.
“It could also be coaching again in the future, but my heart is not in this matter right now.”
Payton: “I don’t like the word retirement.” Says he still has a vision for doing things in football.
“That could be coaching again in the future, but that’s not where my heart is at all right now”
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) January 25, 2022
Officially, the 58-year-old is still under contract in New Orleans for three seasons, so the announcement could well only be a sabbatical.
Sean Payton: Career as a TV pundit?
“As I sit here, I don’t know what’s coming next. I haven’t spoken to any media outlet about getting involved on TV or radio.”
In recent weeks, Payton has been increasingly discussed as a possible TV expert should he end his coaching career prematurely.
There are many things Sean Payton could do this year; coaching an NFL team is unlikely to be one. He remains under contract to New Orleans for three more seasons. He wants some time to decompress, and the Saints would want compensation if they ever were to relinquish his rights.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 25, 2022
“Maybe the opportunity really does arise. I think I’d like to do it and I’m sure I could be quite good at it.”
Sean Payton and Drew Brees: Guarantees of success in New Orleans
Payton had taken over the Saints for the 2006 season and, together with quarterback Drew Brees, formed the hitherto largely unsuccessful franchise into a top team.
The crowning of Payton’s work followed just four years later: In Super Bowl XLIV, the Saints defeated the favored Indianapolis Colts 31:17. To date, the triumph in Miami is the only Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
Payton leaves the Saints with a record of 161 wins and 97 losses.
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