Rugby

Johann van Graan stays quiet on his reasons for Munster departure

Incoming Bath head coach doesn’t deny reports of rifts or tensions behind the scenes

Munster Head coach Johann van Graan who will leave the club at the end of this season. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Gerry Thornley's face
Gerry Thornley
Wed Dec 15 2021 - 15:26

Johann van Graan has declined to shed any further light on his reasons for leaving Munster, or confirm that he activated a release clause in a new two-year deal with the IRFU and instead move to Bath next season.

Tellingly though, he did not deny that rifts or tensions behind the scenes were a contributory factor in his change of heart.

Van Graan agreed a new two-year contract to remain as Munster head coach until 2024 last March, which he signed in July, and facing the media today he was asked if a breakdown in a working relationship had contributed to his change of mind.

“Look, I’ve never done and I’m not going to start discussing any of my contract details in the public,” said van Graan in playing a straight bat that England could do with in the Ashes. “I’ve spoken to all the relevant people at Munster Rugby and the IRFU about the process that was followed and I’ve got seven months left here, and really looking forward to the journey ahead.”

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Pretty much re-iterating his comments in Munster’s statement yesterday, van Graan spoke of taking a step back, looked at his own personal position and what was best for his family and Munster rugby, and decided to move on at the end of the season.

Needless to say, he confirmed it was not an easy decision.

“This is a club that I’ve loved, I’ve enjoyed everyone single moment here and had a great time at Munster Rugby. Fortunately, this is not the end, there’s still seven months until June and I’m looking forward to this challenge.”

However, on foot of Bath confirming that van Graan would be joining them as head coach from next season on a long-term contract, which presumably means a minimum of three years, he was quoted in their statement as saying: “I am hugely excited for the opportunity to join Bath for the 2022/23 season.

“I see huge potential in this club, the players, coaches and staff. I am coming to Bath to work with everyone, and to achieve great success with everyone at the club. This is an exciting next step for me as a coach, and for my family in moving to a proud club and a true rugby city.”

A heart-on-his-sleeve character, especially when it comes to Munster, van Graan informed the Munster players yesterday.

“The very first day I walked in here I said I had one golden rule and that’s ‘treat others how you would want to be treated.’ We have always been honest both ways so I told the group yesterday.

“It was emotional for me, it was emotional for them. But we’ve got seven months left and if I step away from it, that’s also professional sport. Coaches come and coaches go. Players come and players go.

“But we’re a tight-knit group and we’ve got big dreams for this season but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. We’ve got a big game coming up this weekend.”

Van Graan was also less than forthcoming on how many players were among the 34 who completed their periods of isolation at their own locations by last Saturday midnight and are now back in their HPC base.

“We’ve still got some of our staff and players in isolation as we currently stand. Some have only just returned back to the HPC. Some guys are back in today, some guys will be back in tomorrow, some on Friday.

“We’ve had a fascinating, phenomenal win away from home in Europe and we’ve got to give credit where credit is due for what we have achieved as a group, and take it by day and then on to the next one, and then looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd in Thomond Park on Saturday evening.”

Nevertheless, with some of the cavalry arriving over the hill, it’s clear there will be several changes to the team.

“Some will become available,” said van Graan, but he and his staff still had to assess them before the team is announced at Friday lunchtime.

“Some guys might only train for the first time today. You might want to pick them but you must see how they’re bodies recover after the session. How are they 48 hours after completion of training?

“Obviously it’s a short week. We’ve got a few more lads available, but unfortunately still a large part of our players won’t be available. But we’re going to pick a team that we believe can compete and beat Castres at home.

“It’s a totally different challenge that we faced in terms of Wasps. A massive, forward dominated performance will be needed to win this one. They are big, they are powerful and they’ve got some fantastic backs in terms of broken field. So a massive challenge for us on Saturday evening.”