Former Linfield striker Paul Munster named Vanuata manager

Former Linfield striker Paul Munster has been named head coach of the Vanuatu national team ahead of the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.

The 37-year-old will also take charge of the country’s under-23 side ahead of this year’s OFC Championships, the winner of which will qualify for the Olympic Games in 2020.

Belfast native Munster has spent the past 12 months in India as technical director of Minerva Punjab, who finished first in the most recent I-League.

He spent the previous six years in Sweden coaching at various levels with Orebro Syrianska, BK Forward and Orebro SK, having also spent time in the country as a player.

"To be honest, I had to do a search on Google to find out exactly where the country is," Munster told BBC Northern Ireland.

"But when I saw the job was available and did some research, I really liked the look of it.

"They have given me a totally free rein to do the job my own way and, as I'm also in charge of the under-23 and under-20 teams, I can really put my own stamp on things."

Munster enjoyed a well-travelled career that saw him play in Canada, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Northern Ireland and Germany before hanging up his boots in 2011.

He is best known in these parts for his three-year stint with Linfield from 2008-11, during with he won an Irish Cup in 2009/10 and the Premiership title the following season.