Leicester Tigers have confirmed former Argentina and Australia coach Michael Cheika has been appointed as the club’s new head coach.
His appointment comes following the departure of Dan McKellar last week, after an inconsistent season at Welford Road.
Commenting on the appointment of Cheika, Leicester Tigers CEO, Andrea Pinchen said: “We are very pleased to be able to appoint someone of Michael’s experience and history with success to the role of Head Coach.”
“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.”
Cheika joins the club after a two-year stint with Los Pumas, who he guided to the World Cup semi-finals. He has also lifted the Celtic League and Heineken Cup with Leinster, and took Australia to a World Cup final in 2015.
READ MORE: Will Michael Cheika be a good fit for Leicester Tigers?
The Australian will be in place in time for the start of Leicester’s pre-season on 1st July.
“I want this to be my best coaching yet”-Michael Cheika on joining Leicester Tigers
Cheika added: “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.”
“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.”
Cheika had previously been linked with the role last season, prior to McKellar’s arrival; however, it seems Leicester finally have their man.
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