Connacht head coach Andy Friend says his belief that the province shares his ambitions for trophies is what encouraged him to extend his contract until 2023.
"I've had some really positive assurances that Connacht continues to want to strive and move forward," Friend, who signed his new deal this week, told RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport.
"I love the ambition that Connacht has, so to be able to stay here and play a part in that is really important."
Friend said that the province had received IRFU funding guarantees last week that allowed them to offer most of their 27 out-of-contract players new terms and that he expected positive news on that front soon.
The 51-year-old Australian revealed that it will the first time in 26 years of coaching that he will spend a fourth year in charge of a team, assuming he remains in the hot seat until next year, which he said stems from a desire to be there if his labours prove fruitful.
"What I’ve done throughout my career is come in to an organisation when things aren’t going so well and tidy them up," he said.
"At the end of the third year, I’m either sacked, which has happened twice, or I get offered a position somewhere else.
"So this is unchartered waters for me. But virtually every other club that I’ve been to, within two or three years of me leaving they are playing in a grand final or winning a grand final.
"So I thought, let’s hang around and see whether the reason they get to these grand finals is because I go or because of some of the work that has gone on beforehand. So we’ll wait and see!"
"I’m honoured to be offered the opportunity."
Friend admits that keeping the show on the road during the pandemic has been "really tricky" and said "while we are still playing, we are doing it in a very different way and that in itself is a challenge.
"Every week we get tested and every week you wait with baited breath to see if there are any more positive cases and if there are how many that's going to rule out due to close contacts.
"One of the things I’ve found most difficult to deal with is the uncertainty as to what lies ahead."
"I believe we have kept that dream alive and we'll continue to do so."
For Friend, one of the key aspects in helping Connacht keep pace with their traditionally more successful Irish counterparts is ensuring that local players can break into the provincial side and be considered for international selection.
"I've been really proud of the way we have been able to bring our academy players through, 15 young fellas and give them their first caps," he said.
"When I first arrive here, one of the things that resonated with me was that Connacht wanted to keep its identity and have a minimum of 30% of its playing squad from Connacht.
"You need to keep that level of identity, and for me we have been able to do that.
"For the future of Connacht, we’ve got to keep doing that. That ambition for every young Connacht rugby lover that you can stay in Connacht, make it to the pro level, and go on and play for your country as (Athlone native) Jack Carty and so many others have done.
"I believe we have kept that dream alive and we’ll continue to do so."
