Former Australia and Argentina coach heads for new adventure in England
Dai Pumas ai Leicester Tigers: Michael Cheika nuovo head coach in Premiership (Ph. by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)
At the end of an uninspiring Premiership season, Leicester Tigers have decided to change course: the news that Michael Cheika is the new head coach of the English club has just been released.
Under Dan McKellar, Leicester Tigers finished the Premiership season in eighth place, enough to qualify for the next Champions Cup but significantly worse than last year, when they finished third at the end of the regular season and played in the championship semi-finals. So the club preferred to rely on another coach, curiously of Australian origin like his predecessor: Michael Cheika.
Read also: Premiership, promotion from the Championship returns from 2025/2026
After the Wallabies and Pumas, now the Leicester Tigers: Michael Cheika flies to the Premiership
Michael Cheika is a well-known coach, particularly for his experience at international level, having coached his national team, the Wallabies, for several years, and then the Argentine Pumas, whom he led to fourth place at the last Rugby World Cup.
But his CV is also full of experience in clubs, and in particular in the northern hemisphere. After an initial assignment at Petrarca he coached Leinster for several seasons, with whom he won a Celtic championship and a Heineken Cup, and Stade Français. For him it will therefore be the first experience in England, dealing with the Premiership.
Commenting on his appointment, Michael Cheika said: “Honestly, I wasn’t looking at the Premiership and had no particular desire to manage in this league until Leicester Tigers approached me. The opportunity to coach the Tigers and lead this group of players changed my mind.”
“I want this to be my best experience as a coach. I want the preparation and the way I lead the team to be at my best level. If I can give my best, the others will give their best and good things will start to happen around us.”
“Everyone can see that the club has a very high quality squad. I’m not going to lie and say that I know every single player in all their facets, but that’s what I’m going to do over the next few months, to learn how to bring the best out of them.”
“But the squad is just a list of names. Now it’s about understanding how the team comes together, how to bring these great athletes together and get them to play in a way that they love and love going out on the pitch, together, representing Leicester Tigers,” concluded the new coach.
onrugby.it © all rights reserved
Dear Readers,
OnRugby has been offering you free, up-to-date, daily information on the world of rugby for over 10 years. Our work has a cost that is repaid by advertising, especially personalized advertising.
When you are offered information on the release of cookies or similar technologies, we ask you to support us by giving your consent.
