Conor O'Shea is to leave Harlequins at the end of this season.
In a press release published in the last while, he revealed that he felt the end of the 2015-16 was the right time to move on.
I will have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to contribute to this special Club for over six years come May. I have enjoyed working with everybody at Harlequins, from the players to the staff to the supporters, having said that, the end of this season is the right time for me to move on.
We have a very talented group of players and coaches who are intent on securing silverware this season and that is my sole focus and where all our efforts are concentrated. I will say my goodbyes when the season is over.
During his six year reign, O'Shea revived Harlequins following the bloodgate scandal, leading them to the 2011-12 Aviva Premiership title.
The news comes as a surprise given that he turned down the Italy job last month. At that point, he said he was flattered to be offered the job but he insisted that 'his job was here (at Harlequins)'.
There is inevitably much speculation as to where O'Shea goes next. Italy are sniffing around but that isn't exciting supporters in this country. One has to tread carefully here given that Munster job is still held down by an ex-Munster and Ireland stalwart, but the ears of some weary Munster supporters have perked up in the past few minutes.
Conor O'Shea to leave Harlequins at the en of the season? Munster's ears surely should be up if he's available for hire #MunsterRugby #SUAF
— Brian Curtin (@BCurtin_) January 20, 2016
Conor O'Shea leaving Quins. Won't be a free agent long. You'd imagine he's taking the Italy job but we can dream at Munster
— Eimz T (@EimzT) January 20, 2016
@BrianODriscoll Conor o shea for the Munster job?
— Mick Sweeney (@micksw26) January 20, 2016
@BrianODriscoll Conor o shea for the Munster job?
— Mick Sweeney (@micksw26) January 20, 2016
@jhosie43 I'd be fairly happy with Lancaster to be fair. Quins squad looking great with loads of new contracts signed. Munster for O'Shea?
— Dan Anscombe (@DanDanios) January 20, 2016
Can only hope O'Shea is off to #Munster !
— K C (@RnRCorr) January 20, 2016
Taxi to Limerick! https://t.co/XHByPSdl1z
— david kelly (@dk3lly) January 20, 2016
I'll Fecking drive him myself ? https://t.co/cRJWRvk9oS
— DF (@ThumundLark) January 20, 2016
@AlexMLowe where's he going? Munster?
— Catherine Kavanagh (@KavanaghCk) January 20, 2016
Attention Munster.... #justsaying https://t.co/HSfpBvhpTR
— Liam Aherne (@laherne95) January 20, 2016
