Munster legend Alan Quinlan doesn’t believes Ronan O’Gara will be departing his role in New Zealand any time soon.
The iconic out-half who is currently working with Crusaders recently agreed to extend his deal beyond the current season.
O’Gara has been linked with vacancies closer to home in recent weeks with both Scarlets and Leicester Tigers among the clubs reported to be keen on the highly regarded coach.
His former Ireland team mate Geordan Murphy has been placed in temporary charge of the Premiership side following the axing of Matt O'Connor this week.
O’Connor paid the price for their 40-6 defeat at Exeter in the opening game of the season, which followed last season’s unsuccessful attempt to reach the play-offs.
Murphy could take the top job at the club on a full-time basis having spent the majority of his career there as a player he’s also been among the coaching set up for the last five season.
O’Gara though is reportedly on the owners radar as a potential replacement. Quinlan was a guest on OTB AM on Thusday and doesn’t think there’s any chance ROG will leave his current role:
“There’s number of people being linked with the job and one of those was Ronan O’Gara he seems to be linked with a lot of jobs, he was linked with Scarlets as well and a couple of jobs in France but he's going back to New Zealand for another Super Rugby campaign.
“It’ll be January to August, I think when Ronan comes back then he’s in high demand now and if he has a good campaign it’ll only enhance his reputation.
“The downside for Geordan (at Leicester Tigers) is he’s never had a job outside Leicester while Ronan has been in the position to go to Paris and now to Crusaders where he’s building up that experience and he’s probably waiting on the right job, there’s for and against there that you might miss an opportunity and you’ve to take a chance somewhere so it could work out perfect for Geordan to take that job, he knows the club inside out.”
Crusaders head coach Scott Roberston hailed the Munster legend’s influence and spoke of his delight that they managed to secure O’Gara’s services for another season back in June:
“Ronan’s coaching style has been hugely valuable to us in just his first season with the club. He has quickly formed great relationships with our playing group, and has effective means of passing on his knowledge which really resonates with the team.
“We hoped at the start of the season that Ronan would provide us with a new perspective in 2018, and he has done exactly that. He brings fresh eyes and knowledge to the coaching group and we are certainly seeing the benefits of his extensive skillset and experience.
