Munster appoint Chiefs' McMillan as head coach
Munster have appointed Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan as head coach on a three-year deal, the Irish club said.
🗞️ NEWS | We are pleased to confirm that Clayton McMillan will join Munster Rugby from @ChiefsRugby this summer as our new Head Coach 🤩
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 26, 2025
Mike Prendergast moves up to the role of Senior Coach with Ian Costello appointed General Manager.
See full details ⤵️#SUAF 🔴
New Zealander McMillan, who led the Chiefs to the Super Rugby Pacific finals in 2023-24, will join Munster from July, replacing interim coach Ian Costello at the end of the current season.
"Throughout our conversations with Clayton, what really stood out was his experience and how his coaching philosophy and values align with what we want to achieve at Munster Rugby," Munster chief executive Ian Flanagan said in a statement.
McMillan, who has coached at the Chiefs since 2021, departs a year earlier than contracted but will look to bow out with a first championship trophy as he sees out the current Super Rugby season.
"We’re incredibly grateful to Clayton for everything he has done for our club since joining in 2021 and becoming Head Coach of the Gallagher Chiefs," Chiefs CEO Simon Graafhuis said.
The IRFU & @Munsterrugby are pleased to confirm that Clayton McMillan has been appointed as the province’s new Head Coach on a three-year contract and will take up his role in July on completion of the 2025 Super Rugby season.
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 26, 2025
More: https://t.co/BIT3Scagbb pic.twitter.com/GVAaTcURgc
The Chiefs were runners up to the Blues last season, a year after finishing second to the Crusaders.
McMillan also led the Chiefs to defeat in the 2021 championship-decider of Aotearoa, the now-defunct domestic competition formed after the outbreak of Covid-19.
Munster are fifth in the United Rugby Championship ahead of Friday's home match against Edinburgh.
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