Rumours of a surprise return to Munster for former Ireland head coach Declan Kidney might not be far off the mark, says Donal Lenihan.
Currently at London Irish as director of rugby, Kidney led Munster to Heineken Cup glory in 2006 and 2008.
He subsequently took over with Ireland and achieved a Grand Slam in his first season in charge. He stepped down as head coach in 2013.
With current Munster head coach Johann van Graan announcing that he would depart for Bath in the summer, and senior coach Stephen Larkham heading back to Australia, Munster have work to do on their coaching ticket.
"Look, jobs like that and positions like that, there is always going to be speculation," Kidney said in relation to the links to his home province today.
"I'm very happy here in London Irish and I really enjoy working with the lads.
"I have too much respect for my present job, too much respect for Munster, for the IRFU, to be getting into any hypothetical conversation."
Speaking on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, Lenihan, a former Munster, Ireland and Lions skipper, said: "I wouldn't be surprised if there’s a grain of truth in it.
"I’ve had conversations with [late Munster CEO] Garrett Fitzgerald years ago when Declan finished up as national coach.
"There was a vision that he would be the perfect guy as director of rugby, and would have a vision for the province going forward.
"It never happened for one reason or another but I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a bit of truth in it.
"He’ll be three years in London Irish, he’s done a brilliant job there. They were in the Championship, he got them up to the Premiership, they are now mid-table,in contention to qualify for the Champions Cup.
"I’m sure he’ll want to come home at some stage.
"The issue with Munster is they have so many roles to fill.
"If you go down the director of rugby road, then he has to pick the head coach and the head coach has to be happy with who the assistant coaches are.
"There is a jigsaw that has to be put together."
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