Newly appointed British and Irish Lions team manager Andy Irvine will begin his hunt for a head coach to lead arguably rugby's most famous side on their tour to Australia in 2013.

Unlike several international sides who are currently searching for a coach, the Lions have the luxury of more time to find the right man for the job.

While England are struggling to find a replacement for Martin Johnson, with a host of high profile coaches ruling themselves out, few rugby people would turn down an offer from the Lions.

Irvine believes the Lions bosses have "a completely open mind" about who should take on the challenge and will make the decision in either April or May next year.

Irvine, a former Lion himself, admitted that a coach from one of the home unions would have an advantage with a working knowledge of all the players.

"We have a completely open mind for the 2013 tour on who it (coach) will be," Irvine told the media in Cardiff.

"Whoever the coach is will be taking a year out. He does not have to come from the home unions and we could look worldwide, but ideally the head coach will come from a union associated with the Lions.

"We would like Declan Kidney (Ireland), Andy Robinson (Scotland) and Warren Gatland (Wales) to all be available. I think all three would be available if required."

At the early stage of their search for the ideal candidate the Irvine isn't prepared to rule anyone out, and even Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan could be tempted to take up the reins once again.

McGeechan was coach of the last tour to South Africa and is currently in charge of Bath in the English Premiership. He is the most successful Lions coach history and could be a popular choice once again.

"Ian McGeechan has not ruled himself out entirely. He did indicate that 2009 would be his last tour, but he has said nothing definitive and he has to be an option," Irvine said.

"It is such a highly-prized job that we will not be short of candidates. To play for the Lions is the ultimate, and to coach the Lions is pretty close to that."

The Lions last visited Australia in 2001 when World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry was in charge, and went down 2-1 to the Wallabies in a closely contested series.

Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill is delighted that the Lions are on their way back to Australia for another "extraordinary event" to excite the rugby community.

"A Lions tour is a massive occasion. Behind the Rugby World Cup it is the most engaging, high-profile and popular event our game can showcase," O'Neill told the media.