Sean Payton says goodbye to New Orleans after 16 successful years. The 58-year-old head coach has tendered his resignation to the franchise. That’s according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.

New Orleans/Munich – The New Orleans Saints surprisingly have to look for a new head coach.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that longtime winning coach Sean Payton has announced his temporary resignation.

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 ‘retirement,'” a visibly emotional Payton admitted at a specially called press conference. He said he still sees his future in football, but doesn’t yet know in what form.

“It could be coaching again in the future, but my heart is not in that 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 for three seasons in New Orleans, so the announcement could well be just a sabbatical.

Sean Payton: Career as a pundit on TV?

“As I sit here, I don’t know yet what’s next for me. I haven’t had any conversations with any media outlet about getting involved in TV or radio.”

In recent weeks Payton had been increasingly talked about as a possible TV pundit 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 will really come up. I do think I’d be up for it and I’m convinced I could be quite good at it. “

Sean Payton and Drew Brees: guarantors of success in New Orleans

Payton took over the Saints for the 2006 season and, together with quarterback Drew Brees, shaped the largely unsuccessful franchise into a top team.

Payton’s crowning achievement came just four years later, when the Saints defeated the favoured Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV. To this day, the Miami triumph remains the only Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

Payton leaves the Saints with a record of 161 wins to 97 losses.