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Could Paul O'Connell be Anthony Foley's boss next season? Dan Sheridan/INPHO
new boss

Anthony Foley refuses to be drawn on speculation Paul O'Connell could become his new boss

The Munster coach will have a director of rugby above him next season.

ANTHONY FOLEY HAS kicked to touch the possibility of Paul O’Connell becoming Munster’s new director of rugby.

The Munster coach said it was up to the former Lions and Ireland captain if he’s interested in the new position, but Foley said it was not something he was going to get involved in.

Foley said his primary concern at the moment was ensuring that they produce a big finish to the season and he is not going to be side-tracked by who fills the newly created director of rugby position.

Foley, who last week signed a one-year extension to his contract, is in his second campaign in charge and he said he is not concerned about having to report to a new boss next season.

“You are always answerable to somebody. Everybody is answerable to somebody so that’s no change. That’s there at the present. It just might be a different person,” he said.

Foley said he did not know if the director of rugby would be in place for the start of next season, nor did he know if he would have any input into who is selected.

“I don’t know to be honest. I haven’t asked to have an input, I am more concentrating on the here and now, and making sure that we get results on the weekend. It’s something that I talk to the CEO about every now and then but it’s not a regular occurrence.”

Speculation that the recently retired O’Connell might be the suitable candidate is not something which Foley is dwelling on.

“That is something you would need to talk to Paul about. It is not something I would talk about.”

Foley confirmed that former England assistant coach Andy Farrell has completed his brief spell with Munster and he paid tribute to him ahead of him shortly taking up his position as Ireland defence coach.

“Very positive. He was good around the place, good with the lads, good advice for the coaches around the place. It was great to have another voice in the room.”

Foley revealed that his own contract extension had been agreed some time ago but that a few other issues, including the new director of rugby position, had to be sorted out before it was confirmed publicly.

“To be honest it was done a while. It was just a matter of getting other stuff sorted. So that led to the time-line, we weren’t sure when stuff was going to get signed off.”

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