By Donn O’Sullivan
Munster Rugby and the IRFU this week announced that Anthony Foley will be promoted from Munster Rugby Forwards Coach to the role of Head Coach from July 1st 2014. The former Munster number eight will start on a two year contract with an option of a third year.
On confirmation of the promotion Anthony Foley added: “I am very happy to be selected as the next Munster Rugby Head Coach. It is a huge honour and privilege for me. I am very fortunate to have played and achieved success with this club at the top level, my home club, and now I look forward to leading the next generation of Munster players to future success in the red jersey. “But before that we have a job to do this season and I will continue to play my part, working closely with Rob Penney, Simon Mannix and Ian Costello, as we push for titles.”
Foley moved into his current position at the start of the 2011/12 season. Additionally, the 40-year-old has experience at national level as the Forwards and Head Coach for the Ireland Wolfhounds and Forwards Coach for Ireland.
With 22 applications from around the World on the table, Munster did not interview anyone else for the top role. Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald added that “Anthony was the stand-out candidate to succeed Rob Penney at the end of the season and I believe he will do an excellent job in leading this squad forward. His experience and knowledge is of huge benefit to this young Munsterside and I’m sure it will be an easy transition for both the players and backroom team to carry on the positive progress already made.
“I am glad that all parties could come to an agreement in such a prompt manner as we continue to focus our efforts on the remainder of the season. In the next few months Anthony will continue to play his part in the coaching team, supporting Rob, as Munster challenge for silverware in both competitions.”
The former Shannon club man, who has 201 caps for Munster, retired from playing at the end of the 2007/08 season and joined the Munsterbackroom staff in July 2008 as Technical Advisor and Assistant Coach for Defence. Since then he has held the position of Head Coach with both the Munster U20s and Munster’s British & Irish Cup squad that reached the inaugural B&I Cup final in May 2010.
Foley is expected to announce his backroom team in March when Munster have some time to sit down and decide upon the roles that need to be filled. Munster, in the interim, face the Ospreys this Sunday at 4pm in the Rabo Direct Pro 12.
