Munster have confirmed that senior coach Mike Prendergast will leave the province at the end of the season.
In a statement released by Munster Rugby, Prendergast, a former scrum-half with the province, said it had been "an incredible honour and a very difficult decision" but stressed that he believed it was "the right time for a new challenge".
The news comes amid reports that Prendergast was being lined up to become the new attack coach at Premiership champions Bath, who are currently led by former Munster head coach Johann van Graan.
The Limerick-born coach, who played 48 times for Munster during two stints, returned home to join the Munster coaching set-up in 2022, after a long spell in France which included coaching roles at Racing 92, Stade Français, Oyonnax and Grenoble.
In Prendergast's first season at Munster, they won the United Rugby Championship in 2022/23, their first league trophy in 12 years.
Prendergast said: "My family and I have absolutely loved our time back home since we returned to Munster in 2022. To coach the team I represented as a player has been an incredible honour and this has been a very difficult decision.
"I've been in lots of different environments coaching and playing over the years but Munster will always hold a special place in my heart and it has been a really enjoyable four years.
"Working with the players and coaches has been an absolute pleasure but I believe now is the right time for a new challenge."
Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said: "Since arriving in Ireland last summer, I've had the opportunity to work closely with Mike and it’s clear why he is so highly regarded.
"He is a brilliant coach with a sharp rugby mind and an ability to connect with players in a way that brings the best out of them.
"His contribution to our coaching group and to the wider environment will be a loss. While we are sorry to see him move on, I have no doubt he will thrive in whatever challenge comes next."
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