Paul O'Connell insists that he is not qualified to replace Johann van Graan as Munster's head coach.
The Reds and Ireland legend has ruled himself out of contention to replace the South African when he leaves the province next summer, having done a U-turn on a new deal to sign for Bath.
O'Connell has been a big success since coming on board as Ireland's forward coach a year ago.
But, like his former team-mate Ronan O'Gara, he has kicked any ambitions he has to return to the province in a coaching capacity to touch for now.
“Well, look, I won't be doing it,” said O’Connell on The 2 Johnnies podcast. “I wouldn't be qualified to do it.
"I was saying the other day, it's like a guy if you were good at pulling pints being asked to run the bar! They're two different things.
“I don't know who will end up doing it.”
O'Connell, 42, has spoken before of struggling with the time demands of a full-time club job. His first coaching role, with Stade Francais, ended ahead of schedule.
And he was non-committal when asked if the Munster job was something he would like to take on down the line.
“I don't know," the Limerick man replied. "Munster is a very special thing to me.
"I'd have to feel very right and very qualified to go and do it.
“I just have the most amazing memories with Munster and I'd hate to ever hurt them by getting involved and not doing a good job of it.”
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