The STAGGERING Leicester Tigers statistic as Michael Cheika joins Premiership club

Leicester Tigers have announced the appointment of ex-Wallabies and Argentina boss Michael Cheika as their new head coach, replacing the outgoing Dan McKellar.

Incredibly this is the Tigers’ eighth head coach since January 2017 following the sacking of Richard Cockerill as the previously settled outfit looks for stability and success.

Former player Cockerill was in charge at Welford Road from 2009 to 2017 but since then it’s been a coaching turnstile due to a lack of form or international opportunities.

Revolving door

Aaron Mauger took over from Cockerill in 2017 before he was replaced by Matt O’Connor (2017-2018) and then club legend Geordan Murphy was in post from 2018 to 2020.

The former Ireland international was succeeded by now England head coach Steve Borthwick (2020-2022) before Richard Wigglesworth was caretaker boss for five months.

Following that came the arrival of McKellar from the Brumbies but a win record of 53% that saw Tigers finish the season in eighth spot in the Premiership cost him his job.

Leicester will hope that Cheika is the answer to take Leicester forward as he arrives on a two-year contract, with Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen thrilled to secure his services.

“We’re very pleased to be able to appoint someone of Michael’s experience and history with success to the role of head coach,” Pinchen said, with Cheika starting on July 1.

“He has, over more than two decades, achieved great success in winning trophies but also developing players, developing coaches and galvanising groups to be the best they can be.

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“We want that, we need that and believe Michael is the right person to take this team, this club back to where we know we should be.

“I also accept that the past week is not what fans expected, and nor did we, but the decisions we have made are for the long-term benefit of Leicester Tigers and after lengthy, detailed and very honest conversations with Michael in recent days, we are on the same page about what is now necessary to see this club back on top.”

Cheika recently led Los Pumas to fourth place at Rugby World Cup 2023 and had previous success at Leinster, the Waratahs and Wallabies to make for a glowing CV.

“Honestly, I wasn’t looking at the Premiership and didn’t have the desire to coach in it until Leicester Tigers came to me. But, the opportunity to coach at Tigers and lead this group of players turned my head,” he said of his appointment.

“I want this to be my best coaching yet. I want the preparation and the way we lead the team, to be at my best level. If I can bring my best level, other people will bring their best level and good things will start to happen around us.

“Everybody can see that it is a top-quality roster the club has. I am not going to lie and say I know every single one of them down to their bones but that’s what I will do over the next few months, to learn how to get the best out of them.

“But, the roster is only paper. It’s now about how the team gels, how to put these really good players and characters together and get them playing in a way that they love it and a way they love going out there, together, and representing Leicester Tigers.”

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