Connacht rugby has received a huge boost with Michael Bradley pledging his future to the side as he tries to guide them into the Heineken European Cup. Bradley was favourite to take over the Munster job from Alan Gaffney before the post was offered to the Leinster coach Declan Kidney.
Now Bradley has made it clear he wants to continue the work done over the past two seasons since he took charge and he is confident of them reaching the European Cup for the first time.
His decision rules out any possibility of him taking the reins at Leinster as they search for their fourth coach in as many seasons.
"I have great respect for the people here in Connacht, the players, management and supporters. They showed great loyalty through this process, understanding and supporting why I might be linked to the Munster job, while at the same time maybe hoping I would not go there.
"Connacht have made great strides in recent years and it is great to have been part of that for the past two seasons. We need to build on that again. We have some interesting signings lined up, there is a very bright future for Connacht rugby and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"We have set ourselves various targets and Heineken Cup qualification is one of them. It would be great for Connacht for that to happen," said Bradley.
Connacht chief executive Gerry Kelly said he was delighted Bradley would continue to guide Connacht. "While understanding why Munster would like to have Michael Bradley, I am delighted that he has decided to stay with Connacht. He has done tremendous work here over the past two seasons. There has been excellent growth and we need that trend to continue in the next few seasons," he said.
Bradley is coming to the end of his second season in charge of Connacht, having taken over a side in turmoil when Steph Nel stepped down as a number of frontline players departed following the IRFU's mooted idea to disband the professional game in the West two years ago.
Bradley coached the Ireland under-21 side at the World Cup in England before taking up the Connacht position. He enjoyed great success in his first season in charge despite limited resources.
Connacht went out of the Celtic Cup when pipped by a point by Edinburgh at the semi-final stage, while they also reached their first European semi-final before going down on aggregate to NEC Harlequins in the Challenge Cup.
Bradley has again guided Connacht to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and are preparing for the the second leg tie away to Sale Sharks, having gone down by 25-18 at the Sportsground at the weekend.
Capped 40 times, Bradley made his debut against Australia in 1984 and went on to captain Ireland 15 times.
