Former Munster winger Johne Murphy believes "change is needed" at the top of the province's organisation this season in order for them to thrive.
Munster kick off their new season on Saturday as they welcome Glasgow Warriors to Thomond Park, looking to avoid a repeat of the last two campaigns where they needed wins in the final round of the URC to secure a play-off and Champions Cup place.
The final third of last season was played out behind a series of off-field issues, which ultimately led to a governance review at Munster Rugby, the findings of which are yet to be published.
In late March, the province confirmed they would be seeking a number of voluntary redundancies among their non-playing and coaching staff, while several members of their Professional Games Board resigned in April following the hiring of Roger Randle as attack coach, before that appointment was ultimately cancelled.
In the fallout from the Randle saga, head coach Clayton McMillan suggested he needed assurances from the board that everyone was "heading in the same direction."
Former Ireland international Jared Payne was eventually signed up to be Mike Prendergast's replacement as attack coach, while Jimmy Duffy has joined from Ulster as forwards coach after the departure of Alex Codling.
While Murphy believes those coaching additions can help Munster improve their league standing this season, he believes change is needed at the top of the organisation.
Appearing on the RTÉ Rugby podcast, Murphy, who played just under 100 times for Munster between 2010 and 2015, was asked if he was hoping this season would be quieter off the pitch compared to the controversies earlier this year.
"No, I personally wouldn't be looking for a quiet season off the pitch," he replied.
"Too many things have gone on over a very long period of time..." @MurphyJohne is backing the coaching team, but he believes "change is needed" at the top of Munster Rugby in order for them to thrive. 🏉
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"I'd be looking for a busy, but well-organised and change-led [season] off the pitch for them, from top down.
"I think change is needed from an organisational perspective.
"Coaching, you can't say because we don't know where they are, that's going to be outcome-based.
"But I think there's too many things that have gone on over a very long period of time that the same people have been in those positions of power, making those decisions.
"I think a busy, but astute and strong [season] off the pitch over the next six to nine months is very, very important for Munster."
The province face a tough start to the campaign, facing Glasgow, Bulls, Ulster, Racing 92, Leinster and the Sharks before the international break, while they have already been hit hard by injuries at out-half, with Jack Crowley and Tom Wood ruled out for the first three months of the season. New signing Will Harrison is also sidelined with a knee issue.
And Murphy says locking in their play-off place without any major stress would represent a solid season on the pitch for Clayton McMillan's side.
"Qualification for a Champions Cup and probably a home quarter-final if they could manage that for the URC, I think it'd be big.
"So I think that's probably what they would need to be looking at.
"But qualification is a must, and not just kind of limping into an away quarter-final. I think a home quarter would be, that would be a very, very good season," he added.
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