Paul O’Connell could be set to part company with Stade Francais after just one season.
Reports in France state that O’Connell, who joined the Paris outfit as forwards coach last August, has grown frustrated about his relationship with Stade Francais’ director of rugby Heyneke Merwe and has decided to walk away.
RMC Sport claim that the legendary Irish second-row has already told some club staff his intention to leave his position after one campaign, despite signing a two-season deal last year.
Stade currently find themselves in eighth place in the Top 14 standings, having lost nine of their 19 games in the French top flight this term.
O’Connell’s former Munster teammate Mike Prendergast, who is also a coach at Stade, is also being rumoured to be on his way out of the club, with Toulon interested in procuring Prendergast’s services.
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Stade Français: Paul O’Connell déjà vers la sortie ! https://t.co/q2FwzAD348— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) March 21, 2019
As for O’Connell, the immediate future is unclear for the Munster legend but he may well find himself in high demand given his experience since his 2016 retirement.
Following a spell as an advisor with the Munster Academy, O’Connell moved into a coaching role with the Irish U20s in December 2017 before Stade Francais came calling last year.
Should no coaching position present itself before the summer, O’Connell can certainly be expected to feature as a television pundit for the upcoming World Cup in Japan because his knowledge is second to none.
