Anthony Foley would love the opportunity to become the head coach of Munster but he expects there to be a lot of interest in the position.
Foley has long been considered as the natural successor to Tony McGahan but it was thought he would not take over until at 2013 or 2014. However, McGahan's decision to leave Munster at the end of the season has left the Reds with a tough choice - appoint Foley or bring in a new face.
Munster confirmed on Wednesday that McGahan will leave to become Australian defence coach - his appointment will be announced on Friday - and Foley has made it clear he would be interested in taking over.
"I don’t know what the future holds to be honest. I think you'd be flattered to have your name associated with it," Foley said.
"There will be a lot of good coaches coming in for that, it's a great job. Munster are a great club to be involved in and I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with them all my career.
"It's a great springboard, a stepping stone, for ambitious coaches but I tell you one thing, you need to be fully aware of what you're getting into here, and I’m sure that's something they will take into account when they’re' picking a successor."
There are fears that the timing of McGahan's announcement could have a negative impact on Munster but Foley is confident the squad can put it to one side on focus on their preparations for the RaboDirect PRO12 run-in and the Heineken Cup quarter-final clash against Ulster.
"There is a lot to play this year. There is the Rabo and the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup in a local derby coming up, so Tony would like to think it is not fully there yet and also the coaching party and the squad are behind that," he is quoted as saying in the Irish Daily Mirror.
"That's us being professional. That's us just being selfish but that's what we need to be as a team ad as a squad."