Eddie O’Sullivan: I’d love to manage Munster

FORMER Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan has revealed his interest in replacing Tony McGahan as Munster head coach.

Last month McGahan announced that he is stepping down as the province’s head coach at the end of the season and O’Sullivan has now confirmed his intention to apply for the position.

Former Ireland supremo Eddie O’Sullivan stood down from his role as United States head coach in November. O’Sullivan had spent two years in charge of the Eagles. Former Garryowen FC and Munster star O’Sullivan attended Thomond College, in Limerick. He was appointed Ireland coach in 2002 where he enjoyed a six-year spell in charge during which the team won three triple crowns and he was also part of the Lions coaching team on the 2005 tour of New Zealand.

O’Sullivan said he would ‘absolutely’ be interested in succeeding Australian-born McGahan. The 53-year-old said he would relish the challenge of taking the reins at one of Europe’s leading rugby clubs.

O’Sullivan said: “The thing is that Munster has become and grown into one of the major rugby clubs in Europe. You are talking about taking over a team that is a bit like the Manchester United or the Real Madrid of rugby. Every year the expectation of Munster is that they are going to get to the knock-out stages of tournaments, that they are going to perform. It is a hugely pressurised job, but what a challenge! If you have any ambition to take challenges on in life that is about as good a one you can get at club level.

“Like any other coach, you want to get back in the game. Certainly my experience has been at international level going back for the last 10 or 12 years. It would be nice and I would like to get into a club scene where you are on the ground more. With international rugby you tend to coach in blocks of time that are hugely pressurised rather than a club situation where it is spread out more. I would like to look at that (club) option if it comes along.”

O’Sullivan also told Today FM’s Last Word programme - aired as part of the Guinness Area 22 series - that he is out of the running to be appointed as England head coach.

Anthony Foley has been an odds-on favourite with the bookies to succeed McGahan as Munster coach. Foley, who was Munster forwards coach at the start of the season has taken charge of the Irish forwards during the second half of the Six Nations Championship. Foley served as Head Coach to the Munster A side for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons. The 38-year-old is one of Munster’s most capped players with 201 appearances.