Sir Gordon Tietjens is stepping down after 23 years as New Zealand men’s rugby sevens coach.

In the wake of his team’s quarter-final exit at the Rio Olympics, Tietjens says it is time for a new coach to take over.

Tietjens, 60, steered New Zealand to four successive Commonwealth Games gold medals up until 2010, along with victory in 12 of the 17 world series crowns.

“I love the sevens game and I’m immensely proud of what I’ve achieved and what all our players have been able to achieve in my time with the team,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We were all incredibly disappointed with our results in Rio, but we have to acknowledge just how far sevens rugby has come.

“It’s become intensely competitive and the Olympics proved just how tough it is to win at this level these days.”

Tietjens said he still wanted to be involved in sevens some capacity.

“I’m now working through what those next steps are.”

The New Zealand sevens team which will next play the Dubai tournament in early December.

SIR GORDON TIETJENS

SEVENS GURU

– Four Commonwealth Games gold medals (1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010). One silver (2014)

– Two World Cups (2001 and 2013)

– 12 world series titles

– NZRU coach of the year (2010)

– IRB Hall of Fame inductee (2012)

– Knighthood (2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours)

NPC COACHING

– Bay of Plenty (1996-2002)

– NPC Coach of the Year (2000)

PLAYING CAREER

– Played 78 games for Bay of Plenty and 14 for Waikato (1977-83)

– Member of the first New Zealand sevens side at the Hong Kong Sevens (1983).