Graham Rowntree left the Irish province by mutual consent this week, and since then, a host of names have been tipped to take over the famous rugby team.
Names like Mike Prendergast, Felix Jones, and Paul O'Connell have been linked with Rowntree's former position, as has O'Gara himself.
O'Gara has long been linked with a potential return to Ireland or Munster, so it’s not a surprise to see his name mentioned. However, he has quickly distanced himself from the role.
Speaking in his Irish Examiner column, the former Irish and Munster out-half said, “The greatest days of my rugby life were in that Munster top, but I’m not interested in the Munster head coach role. Not now and hardly in the future.
"For starters, I am contracted to La Rochelle until 2027; the competitor in me demands that I try and win a Bouclier here and another Champions Cup with it. And I feel I have a better chance of doing that with La Rochelle than with Munster.”
O'Gara, who has won back-to-back Champions Cups, feels that taking over Munster at their lowest ebb wouldn’t be a wise move for him or the province. He admits his next move needs to be at the test level.
“Anyone who would suggest that taking Munster now at a low ebb is a smart play doesn’t know Munster, doesn’t know me, and does both a disservice. Why would you take over any job? Because you think you could do better. The game of life is you against you, not anyone else, "he added.
"Munster is in my heart but not my head now. Besides, I would hope my next coaching move is into the test arena.”
Although it may appear that O'Gara is criticising his former province, the Cork native acknowledges that the job is still a great one; he simply believes that Munster needs significant reform. He asserts that the issues at Munster didn't begin with Rowntree's appointment.
“It’s still a great job. It’s Munster. It’s on its knees at the minute, but a good plan and vision are the foundation stones for a revived future. If the organisation went out there with a vision for Munster rugby, you could get some very interesting people in the room—with deep pockets.
"This demands a root-and-branch reappraisal. If you pay peanuts, you will get monkeys. And it goes back a while. This rot didn’t begin with Rowntree.”
