New Zealand chiefs believe Joe Schmidt will be a "very valuable" asset in the future - but have accepted he is not in the running to be the next All Blacks head coach.
On arriving back in Dublin after a second morale-sapping World Cup quarter-final defeat, Schmidt confirmed that he will return to coaching next summer after a self-imposed break.
"I know I'm not going to do it in the near future," said the 54-year-old, ending his six-year Ireland tenure.
"I've been blown away by some of the approaches and incredibly humbled by them.
"I made a commitment that I'm going to absolutely stick to, through to at least June or July of next year."
New Zealand are looking to replace Steve Hansen, who has stepped down in the wake of the All Blacks' semi-final loss to England in Japan.
Schmidt would have been among the favourites for the role last year, especially after Ireland beat the All Blacks for the second time in three years, but his own decision to take a step back ruled him out of the succession race.
Ian Foster is now the favourite, but other names are in the mix, including Scott Robertson and Jamie Joseph, the Japan head coach.
"Joe has made his position very clear," Impey commented.
"We've kept in close contact with Joe. His plan for family reasons is to step away from coaching.
"He's returning to New Zealand to live at some point in the future. We see him as very valuable.
"But in the interim, Joe's made his position very clear".
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