Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has replaced fellow Australian Dan McKellar at the helm of Leicester Tigers.
Leicester confirmed the appointment on Thursday after McKellar’s “mutually agreed” split with the Tigers at the weekend.
Cheika spent the last two years coaching Argentina and led Los Pumas to the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-finals.
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The 57-year-old had been linked with NRL and NSW Waratahs roles but will instead look to lift Leicester from last season’s disappointing eighth place finish.
“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,” Cheika said.
“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.
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https://twitter.com/LeicesterTigers/status/1806220867678151008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“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.”
Cheika will start work on July 1.
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“We are very pleased to be able to appoint someone of Michael’s experience and history with success,” Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen said.
“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.
“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.”