Munster Rugby shocked the rugby world last week when it announced that head coach Graham Rowntree would depart the province with immediate effect.
Since then, several rumours about the ‘mutual agreement’ that saw the two parties part ways have been floated. One thing is for certain: Munster needs to lock in a new head coach, with former Springbok and England assistant coach Felix Jones amongst the favourites to move into the role.
BREAKING: Graham Rowntree departs Munster by ‘mutual agreement’
Speaking about the next move for his former side, Munster great Donnacha O’Callaghan floated a rather left-field option for the vacant role on the most recent episode of his podcast ‘The Offload”.
Discussing the matter with co-host, former Ireland winger Tommy Bowe, O’Callaghan suggested that Munster should go back to their roots and appoint the coach that brought them more success than any other in Declan Kidney.
Renowned as a world-class man manager with the CV to back-up O’Callaghan’s thoughts, Kidney has not been mentioned by many as a possible candidate.
“I actually have a different take on it; I think if you’re trying to get a beat out of this team, you actually have to go down to the foundation rock of Munster rugby, and you need Declan Kidney back involved,” O’Callaghan said.
“I know you’re gonna laugh, but I’m telling you he’s a Grand Slam, a European Cup winner, and nobody knows Munster Rugby better than that man.
“It’s sad to say that we might have to go all the way back there. But I promise you, if you put him in that environment he will get the best out of those players.
“His emotional intelligence is through the roof, his love for Munster Rugby is through the roof.
“And there’s a guy, if he’s getting f***** over by the IRFU, will kick down the door and tell them.
“The way it’s going, look at where rugby who are gone, London, Irish, he knows how to deal with a budget, he knows how to deal with players.
“In those moments I just think there’s an ace up our sleeves, it’s under our nose. We all might laugh and think of the glory days, but I’m telling you it, I’ve been around him.”
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