HOW DOES one follow in the footsteps of Declan Kidney, one of Europe's most successful coaches? The message from his successor as Munster's director of coaching, Tony McGahan, at his official unveiling yesterday was the need to keep evolving and keep setting the bar higher.

With McGahan - who has been given a two-year deal - intent on bringing Munster to another level, the province showed their ambition with the acquisition of Laurie Fisher as forwards coach, subject to the Australian securing a work permit.

Fisher, a former ACT Brumbies and Australia A head coach, holds a fine CV and was one of 30 applicants for the post, amongst them former Ireland assistant Niall O'Donovan, according to Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald.

McGahan set out his vision for the province at yesterday's press conference in Cork as he steps up from the position of defence/attack coach.

Admitting he was "honoured", Munster players came out publicly to endorse his credentials for the position, he said he understood the huge expectation levels within the province and had prepared himself mentally both for the good and the bad days.

He recognised, too, the most important thing will be getting good results.

"I'm under no illusions whatsoever about the task ahead, in terms of the things I can control, e.g. the sort of rugby that we play.

"The things out of my control, I wouldn't concern myself with that - I only concern myself with what I can control. And with every position there's going to be some days when it's as good as it gets and days when you think, 'I'd rather be other places'. I think with the management around and with Garrett's (Fitzgerald) support, I can bounce ideas off them.

McGahan will continue coaching - "it's my area of strength" - but it is expected he will make one more appointment to this management staff, possibly Jason Holland as backs coach.

Known for his meticulous approach and organisational skills, he described himself as "loyal, humble and honest, and easy-going and friendly".

However, he said he will be open to ideas from the management group and the senior players, adding, "I wouldn't be a very autocratic sort of guy, (I'm) very democratic. We have a very good senior playing group with a lot of experience so they're on the field implementing that, so we need to tap into what they're doing".

The 35-year-old also stated that while he wasn't officially offered a position by Kidney in the Ireland set-up, "there'd been an initial conversation to go down that track". However, when Munster came calling, he opted for the provincial job as part of his professional development.

McGahan is keen to keep the model Munster have in place, with the Cork and Limerick training centres remaining and Paul O'Connell will continue as Munster skipper.

He also intends to liaise with the clubs and build stronger ties with them. However, part of his remit is the evolution of Munster's staff and playing style.

"The coaching staff coming in will be new, and the next management position we are going through at the minute will be new.

"With any group or successful organisation you are constantly looking to evolve and to go forward and we are certainly in no doubt we've been doing that for the last three years. We'll continue to set the bar higher and bring new ideas and new ways of getting things done."

Meanwhile, McGahan and Fitzgerald agreed that Fisher's appointment would benefit the province in terms of the introduction of the new ELVs next season. Fisher, who has been Brumbies head coach since 2005, worked under the new laws in this year's Super 14.

Fitzgerald also hopes to find a place for Anthony Foley in the new regime. Foley will coach the Munster under-20s next season and Fitzgerald says coach succession-planning is important to Munster.

"We need to look at the players who are interested in having a long-term career coaching in Ireland and Anthony, along with a couple of other guys, have expressed an interest in that."

Leamy out until late November

TONY McGAHAN said Munster were looking for a new backrow forward, adding that the process to find one had been accelerated following the news that Denis Leamy will be out of action until late November. The Tipperary man will undergo shoulder reconstruction surgery in London next Monday and will miss the autumn internationals as well as Munster's opening two Heineken Cup fixtures.

"We're not signing anyone for the sake of signing anyone - they need to fit the criteria that we, the recruitment staff, are looking for," said McGahan.