WITH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS swinging into life in Irish rugby this month, Connacht are hoping to hang onto head coach Andy Friend into next season.
The Australian is out of contract this summer but Connacht are understandably keen to ensure he extends his deal.
Friend joined Connacht on a three-year contract in 2018, taking over from Kieran Keane after the Kiwi’s unhappy time in charge, and has proven to be hugely popular with the province’s players and supporters.
IRFU performance director David Nucifora played a central role in the appointment of Friend, with both having previously worked with the Brumbies.
The westerners qualified for the Pro14 play-offs in Friend’s first season as head coach, ensuring a return to the Champions Cup in the 2019/20 campaign.
Exciting European wins at home to Montpellier and Gloucester followed last season, while Connacht sit second in Conference B of the Pro14 in the current campaign, which has been heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Connacht players have repeatedly spoken of the positive off-pitch culture Friend has built in the province in recent seasons, while his personable and open manner has seen him develop strong connections with the playing squad.
Friend has also encouraged his assistants – attack coach Nigel Carolan, forwards coach Jimmy Duffy, and defence coach Peter Wilkins – to take on greater responsibility and bring their strengths to the fore, creating a positive atmosphere among the staff.
With all of that in mind, losing the head coach would be an obvious blow and Connacht are hoping to secure Friend on a new contract that would keep him in this country beyond June.
With Australian rugby currently in a rebuild mode of sorts, it’s understood that Rugby Australia may be keen to bring Friend back into the fold there.
The IRFU had put a pause on contract offers before the New Year but the past fortnight has seen that lift and negotiations are firmly back underway, with Friend among the many coaches and players whose deals are due to expire this summer.
Connacht fans will be hoping to hear of a positive outcome in the coming weeks.
They bloody well better offer him more than a one year deal! He’s been brilliant after the turmoil of the Keane tenure, also I imagine Friendy is a big part of why players would join.
The IRFU need to cop on and tie down the good coaches to long term contracts. Oh and sign the players too. Stop importing players for 2 seasons and promote from within
I hope the IRFU find the funds to keep him longer. Nigel Carolan would be another option.
@Con Cussed: yeah Nigel is an option, but the question remains whether his preference is hands on coaching rather than top management. His track record has been good enough for years to have had Head Coach job offers elswere, but he’s stayed in Galway. My feeling is he loves what he does and isn’t interested in the politics of the top job, could be 100% wrong of course. Jimmy Duffy is established too. Shame the timing was out for Dan McFarland, because he would fit back in perfectly. All the above is conjecture of course, first preference is to keep Friendy. Love what he’s doing and especially the contagious positive vibe he exudes from every pore…..
Suspect Friend will be returning to Australia at the end of the current season. He was very annoyed about the failure to win the game vs Munster last weekend off that final scrum and his pique at his onfield leaders botching (yet again) an end of game opportunity was noticeable. I wonder if he feels he’s taken them as far as he can. I do hope he stays. He’s a great man manager, but a 1 year contract extension offer would force him to look elsewhere, and will the IRFU offer him a 2 year contract – I doubt it.
@David Finn: If the IRFU are serious they have to stop these 1-2 year deals. It gives the wrong message to those receiving them. Keep Friendly at Connacht or resign. The politics at the IRFU does not help in these situations.