Flanagan to step down as Munster CEO

Ian Flanagan will step down from his position as Munster CEO at the end of October.

Flanagan took over from the late Garrett Fitzgerald in 2019 and during his tenure, Munster won the 2023 United Rugby Championship.

However, the Irish province has gone through a turbulent period with an independent governance and organisational review commissioned at the end of last season due to the fallout from the initial appointment of Roger Randle as attack coach.

The New Zealander was initially appointed in April, but his contract was cancelled just weeks later by "mutual agreement" after fan backlash regarding a 1997 rape allegation.

The alleged incident occurred in Durban, South Africa, during Randle's playing days with the Hurricanes - a charge that was dropped by the complainant and one he has always denied.

In reaction to the appointment, former players Billy Holland, Killian Keane and Mick O'Driscoll stepped down as independent nominees on the province's Professional Game Committee, while there were also resignations from Munster's voluntary Commercial Advisory Group.

Prior to that controversy, the province had also confirmed they were to seek redundancies outside their elite professional rugby staff amid ongoing financial challenges.

More damaging headlines have been created by the content of former captain Peter O'Mahony's recently released autobiography which is often damning of the organisation's hierarchy.

Munster will announce an interim CEO in the coming weeks with a recruitment process for a permanent successor for Flanagan to begin in due course.

"Leading my home province has been a huge privilege," said Flanagan.

"I would like to thank the many people I have worked alongside during my time with Munster Rugby, including our volunteers, staff, sponsors, coaches and players. I would also like to thank our supporters for their unwavering commitment to Munster Rugby over many years.

"I wish the province every success in the future."

Munster Rugby chair Ger Malone thanked Flanagan for his "dedication and commitment" to the province.

"He played a central role in the development and delivery of the €7.3 million Centre of Excellence in Cork, which represents an important long-term investment in player development and the wider game across the province," he said.

"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Ian for his contribution to Munster Rugby and wish him every success for the future."