I had to put my family first, explains emotional boss Pat Lam
Lam will start a three-year deal in Bristol next summer but in pointing out the reasons for his own departure, said that a coach can never predict where they will end up a few seasons down the road.
Lam was being tipped as one of the primary contenders to take over as Ireland coach if Joe Schmidt did not extend his contract beyond next summer to 2019, and the outgoing Connacht coach said he would have no hesitation in coming back at some stage in the future if the opportunity arose.
“Without a doubt. This place is special. I have been living in the west of Ireland but Ireland as a country, I have no doubt in my mind that Ireland will get the 2023 World Cup.
“At the heart of it, you have other sports; ultimately what rugby is about is community, rugby is about people.
“When I look at the three options out there, South Africa and France where it has been before, even all the players in world rugby, everyone would say it must be Ireland and the reason why is the people.
“I have been blessed to have been able to live in this country, been welcomed into this country and experience things away from rugby. People will have a fantastic time (in 2023), it will be an unbelievable Rugby World Cup.
“It is a fickle job I’m in, I don’t know what is around the corner in the next three years but as long as I’m able to do the job I love doing — professional rugby coaching — whatever team that is going to be, as long as the vision is right and it is in line with my coaching philosophy, hopefully I will do this before my number is called.”
Lam, who confirmed that he announced his departure this week because he had to give six months’ notice to leave the Sportsground a year early, said it had been one of the most difficult decisions he has had to make in his career.
“It’s very humbling. We are very humbled by some of the words that people have been saying. But that’s also the reason why I needed to talk today and why I shared more than I normally would share. I’ve shared it because this place means a lot to me and the people mean a lot to me.”
Lam said that the sudden death of Munster coach Anthony Foley and his own father undergoing heart surgery back in New Zealand were key factors in him deciding to leave to take up a lucrative offer from Bristol which secures his family’s future.
“I went to Killaloe and the removal, saw Olive and the two kids. Axel was in my environment. I could picture the situation. I’m the second Pat Lam — my grandfather died at 55 when I was nine. My dad was going through a triple by-pass recently.
“Driving home, if that was me, what would happen to Steph and the kids?”
Lam and his wife have five children and he said this was an offer he could not turn down given the security it offered to his family.
“I love the challenge of creating history but in my whole process I look at my rugby career because I am responsible for my family too. We are happy here, we love it here.
“Two weeks ago, Bristol put an offer down and it was quite significant.
“They pretty much said, ‘Can you come here and do what you did in Connacht’. That completely flipped my decision from rugby to family.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
