Tom Coventry (third left) was a key figure with the Chiefs © Getty Images

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Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie has backed Tom Coventry to succeed in the hot seat at London Irish, after the Super Rugby franchise confirmed on Wednesday that the assistant coach would leave the Waikato at the end of the 2015 Super Rugby season.

Coventry and former Ireland coach Declan Kidney had been linked with the Exiles position after the Aviva Premiership club had parted ways with head coach Brian Smith, with The Rugby Paper reporting on Tuesday that the New Zealander had been offered a three-year deal to begin after the Super Rugby campaign.

Rennie paid tribute to his assistant, with whom he won back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, saying Coventry was "an excellent coach who has been a big part of our success".

"He's brought a physical edge to our forward play and has the experience and knowledge to do a great job as head coach at London Irish," Rennie said. "We wish him well."

Chiefs chief executive said Andrew Flexman said "we are sad to be losing Tom's coaching services, [but] we would like to acknowledge his contribution to our environment and our success in his time at the Chiefs".

"It is an unfortunate reality that coaches of Tom's calibre are in high demand overseas, and we wish he and his family every success with the next chapter in their lives."

Coventry, who enjoyed a successful stint as coach of ITM Cup side Hawkes Bay prior to joining the Chiefs, said the new challenge in London would not alter his focus on the Super Rugby season.

"I have a job to do with the Chiefs this season and will concentrate on the next phase of my career with London Irish at the end of the Super Rugby season," he said. "I have enjoyed my time with the Chiefs and will continue to do so until it is time to go, but I think to stay fresh as a coach it is important to immerse yourself in new environments, new challenges and experiences which is what I am going to do."

Coventry is the second coach to announce his departure from the Chiefs, with legendary assistant Wayne Smith having already left to reprise his former post at the All Blacks.

Glenn Delaney will assume the role of interim head coach until the end of the season, with the forwards coach to be assisted by Richard Whiffin and Mark Tainton and the franchise's Academy coaching team of Nick Kennedy, Declan Danaher and Paul Hodgson.