Former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan described Pat Lam's decision to move to Bristol at the end of the season as a "no-brainer" and discussed the possibility of taking the role on himself.
Speaking on Monday's Off The Ball, O'Sullivan reacted to today's shock news that Lam will leave his position as Connacht head coach at the end of the season.
"I'm not a bit surprised," he said. "Given his track record with Connacht, he would be in-demand as a coach. It's no surprise he's gotten some offers. I believe he was talking to another Premiership club as well.
"It's maybe a surprise that he's gone to Bristol, who at the moment look like they're odds on to go down. It's hard to see them surviving since they haven't won a game this season. Maybe he sees it as a project, to build the team up. He probably would have seen Connacht as a project when he came in, in terms of building consistency around the province.
"Some coaches like that sort of a challenge to take on a team that needs to be turned around a bit. In that way, maybe Bristol probably interested him. But the fact that he's leaving is not a major surprise."
O'Sullivan admitted that he had previously put his name forward to take over at Connacht in recent years but was not given an interview.
"Maybe they're going to look overseas to look for a big name, it's hard to know where the province want to go.
"It's on my back doorstep, I live 25 miles from Galway and have been based here for years so it's an interesting project. Whoever takes the job, it's a job you really have to kick on now with."
Asked whether the door was closed on him, he replied: "I actually don't know the answer to that question, I'm not avoiding it and I don't want to be evasive.
"I have asked people myself and have been told there's no problem, but I just haven't been able to break back into Irish rugby.
"I did ask, yeah. I felt going away to America was a good one for me and then coming back in 2012 that there would be enough time for things to settle down, but nothing has happened since.
"I've been told, pretty much from the highest level, that I haven't teed anybody off. So as far as I can see there's no reason for it."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
