Munster – Coaching Situation
So nearly 4 months after Rassie Erasmus confirmed he would be taking up a position with the South African Rugby Football Union, Munster are no closer to bringing in a replacement. We have heard the names of David Wessels and also Johan Van Graan who is currently involved with South Africa , Wessels has signed a deal to take over the Melbourne Rebels from old Munster boss Tony Mc Gahan.
Looking at the current state of play we have one coaching team set to depart in late December with no ready replacement about to step in at a crucial point of the year. Yes Munster have just completed the signing of Tadgh Beirne on a two year deal from the start of next season.
That was a was a tidy piece of business done and dusted in timely fashion and one has to question why the coaching question is being left dangly there with no signs of a solution being found.
I may be completely wrong in my reading of the situation and Munster may just be waiting for the right moment to announce their new head man but there doesn’t seem to be any right moment to clear up all this uncertainty and I implore both the IRFU and Munster Branch to make a announcement whether it is that they are promoting from within or there is a man coming in from outside to take on the job for the next few years because what Munster need is certainty at this moment in time.
Over the last year it has been a coaching merry go round after the untimely passing of Anthony Foley this time 12 months ago. It has been a hell of a journey since the opening round of Champions Cup fixtures last year. Munster were due to face Racing 92 in France but that fixture was postponed.
Since all that upheaval both Erasmus and Nienber have taken up the slack along with Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones and led Munster to the Pro 12 Final and the Champions Cup Semi Final versus Saracens last April.
Whatever solution Munster have come to at this stage would be better than this saga of when is he leaving and also who is the replacement!! Munster could end up losing out on signings for next season if they cannot sort this current impasse.
The Munster faithful deserve some honesty in this case because, there were a number of stories surrounding this at the end of last year and it was confirmed in June of 2017 that Erasmus was leaving after 1 year of a 3 year deal. The least all parties can do now is bring whatever discussions they are having with relevant parties to a conclusion and make an announcement.
Munster has gone through a rough 12 months off the field and they really need to bring in a good quality coach on a long term deal and reset the clock and start again. Erasmus has put in very strong foundations now it needs somebody to pick up the baton and carry on the good work….
By
Cian Mc Gibney
05/10/2017