GIVEN THAT THEY possess two of the best rugby brains Ireland has ever seen on the pitch, it always seemed highly probable that Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell would move into coaching.
Such an effective combination on the pitch, the prospect of the pair of Irish rugby legends teaming up as coaches is a thrilling one.
O’Gara has now admitted that it is certainly their plan and with O’Connell having retired from playing due to a severe hamstring injury, the probable scenario of a ROG and POC dream team has moved a step closer.
O’Connell was linked with Munster’s director of rugby role in recent weeks, and it’s understood that a conversation did take place between the former second row and the province in relation to that position.
O’Connell, however, appreciates the need for him to learn an altogether new craft and declined to put his CV in the mix. The Limerick man has visited Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins and Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble in recent times for stints of hands-on experience.
Speaking in Paris, where he is an assistant coach with Racing 92, O’Gara stated his belief that O’Connell is right to be cautious about his first step into the coaching world and indicated that the pair plan to work together.
“They’d be crying out for Paulie [at Munster], but then if Paulie didn’t get the results, they’d be showing him the door,” said O’Gara. “We’re all aware of that.
“I talk to Paulie; Paulie will be an exceptionally good coach and it’s no secret of the two of ours that we want to team up. It’s about getting the right opportunity.”
O’Gara has little doubt that O’Connell will be signed by a club soon, and stressed again that the pair of them need to put more concrete plans for working together in place, even if that may not be at Racing.
“No, but depending on what role he is in there’s always something potentially,” said O’Gara of the possibility of O’Connell joining the Top 14 club.
“Any fella who has his head screwed on will be looking to snap him up. It’s a case of trying to get a plan together between us and start competing as a unit, because that’s what we both want to do.
“He’s still just re-adjusting and you’ve got to appreciate that too, because your head is all over the place when you come out of rugby.”
O’Gara recently extended his contract with Racing until 2019, but his playing history with Munster will mean he is always linked with a return home.
Indeed, it seems extremely likely that himself and O’Connell will team up and lead the southern province at some point in the future.
Did O’Gara have a chance to return to Munster before he penned this new contract with Racing last month?
“No, I wouldn’t have a clue,” answered O’Gara. “No, I would have my head firmly fixed on trying to achieve something here. I need to learn basically; this is only my third year as a coach. I’m nowhere near ready. I understand a lot of it, but I have no idea how to coach the attack game fluently yet.
“When you’re standing in front of Munster or Irish players, they spot a spoofer straight away. I’m still at the spoofing stage, I need to get it all on autopilot. I don’t have that at the minute, I just think it’s better for me too because you see things differently when you get out anyway.
“It’s a great league and it’s hugely challenging. There will definitely be time to come home, but it’s nowhere near. It wouldn’t be the right thing to do, to come home after three years. There’s no way you’d be developed.”
As O’Gara’s conversations with his friend O’Connell continue, one imagines that they will be stressing the need for the former second row to get onto the coaching ladder in an ideal position and begin to learn the craft, as O’Gara is at Racing.
Looking further into the future, you can bet that this pair of winners are planning to create history.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
That’s some money for Ibra!
That’ll be over £30m a year between him and Rooney. Lunacy.
And probably 12 goals between them!
55 between them last season
Rooney hasn’t looked a good player in about 3/4 years now and while Zlatan has been scoring for fun in France, I amn’t convinced he’ll have the same joy in England.
Fine then 20 goals in 33 CL games with PSG and 62 in 112 international appearances
IBRA is a cracking player but 34 million is a joke
Ed Woodward is clueless
325k a week – around the same as Rooney.
How much commercial revenue will he bring in?
A lot of names on backs of shirts I’d say.
Moyes got a 6 year contract, LVG 3 years, Mourinho 2. At this rate Mourinho’s successor will get a 5 game contract
3 year contract, no?
Inevitable
Storms a’ coming
My two favourite men in football are going to United. Sickening.
Not sure about Mourihno as a person or as a fit for United, but it’ll be fun to see how it goes, if nothing else. Ibra’s probably the third most well-known player in the world. They’ll probably make most of the 34 million back in shirt sales, merchandise etc.
Yup, if I remember correctly, Ronaldo’s 80M transfer to Real was paid in just 6 months through shirt sales
Plus that’s a lot of letters on the back of the jersey $$
Pure speculation . I heard paddy Crerand saying ibrahimovic could be goin to caley thistle . Where do these guys get their info from ffs..,
Let the games begin!
Wenger probably thought he saw the back of Jose after their antics over the years…no getting rid of him, Arsene.
There is no way he will do any of that special one crap…. At Man Utd, that is earned at Man Utd…..
Thats the spirit! :)
United is a special club and Jose knows he needs to earn it. Well said.
Don’t underestimate the arrogance of the man. He knows United need him more than he’ll ever need them. He’ll be a great appointment though and is the perfect man to get them on the right path to challenge for the league again.
I can hear the grinding teeth of the ABU’s. Surprised they have any left at this stage….lol
Nah we’re looking forward to the entertainment, and I don’t mean on the pitch cos there will be none!
Love how the bitter scouse crystal ball couldn’t see the 3-1 education coming from Sevilla last week but it can see everything else .
Wow, but United fans are delusional. He would need to spend £500m to make them competitive again with that squad.
I reckon you pulled that £500m figure from the top of your head Willie rather than from even a semi reputable source. I think you’ll find you’re the delusional one :-)
Zlatan?! Ffs!
Is this headline based on a tweet from Jim white??!!!
Hmmmmmmmmm
Its nothing ta do with revenue those kind of wages for any player is a joke especially players at 34 years of age ,hopefully he will let the young lads come true along with a few good signings
Philip, Ibra will be on a free transfer so because there’s no fee involved in signing him (whatever club that may be ??) His wages are affordable.