PAUL O\u2019CONNELL WILL leave his coaching role at French outfit Stade Francais at the end of this season, but the former Ireland second row insists he does not plan to move into another club role next year.<\/p>\n
Reports in France this week said the former Ireland second row\u2019s relationship with Stade Francais head coach Heyneke Meyer had soured in recent weeks, and his departure from the Top 14 club has been confirmed this afternoon.<\/p>\n
O’Connell is leaving Stade at the end of the season. Source: Dan Sheridan\/INPHO<\/p>\n
In a statement, Stade Francais say it was decided by mutual agreement that O\u2019Connell\u2019s contract would not be extended into the 2019\/20 campaign, and that the Limerick native \u2018will always be considered a member of the Stade Fran\u00e7ais Paris family.\u2019<\/p>\n
O\u2019Connell, who previously held a role with the Munster academy and then Ireland U20s, has been strongly linked with a position at Toulon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI have decided not to stay beyond my contract year with the club and do not plan to join another club next season either,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a great adventure at the Stade Fran\u00e7ais Paris. I am grateful to the club for the opportunity they gave me to live and work in Paris. I was delighted to be able to work alongside Heyneke Meyer, the staff and all the club\u2019s players.<\/p>\n
The Stade Francais statement added: \u201cStade Fran\u00e7ais Paris and Paul O\u2019Connell are very happy with their time together and look forward to the challenges they will face until the end of the season. Paul O\u2019Connell is and will always be considered a member of the Stade Fran\u00e7ais Paris family.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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