Who is Michael Cheika, the new head coach of Leicester Tigers?

Michael Cheika has been appointed as the new head coach of Leicester Tigers.

It had already been confirmed that Dan McKellar would be leaving after one season in charge, where the club finished eighth in the Premiership.

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Details of Cheika’s deal have not been disclosed. What fans do know, however, is that the appointment is immediate, meaning Cheika will be present on the first day of pre-season on July 1.

Cheika said: “Honestly, I wasn’t watching the Premiership and I didn’t have the desire to coach until Leicester Tigers came to me. But the opportunity to coach the Tigers and lead this group of players turned my head.

“I want this to be my best coach so far. 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 happening around us.

“Everyone can see it’s a high-quality list that the club has. I’m not going to lie and say I know each of them to the bone, but that’s what I’m going to do over the next few months to learn how to get the best out of them.”

Michael Cheika: His career so far

Cheika’s rugby career began as a player. He made his senior debut for Randwick. The Australian has also competed for Castres, CASG Paris, Livorno and New South Wales.

After retiring in 1997, he turned his head to coaching. He started at Petrarca Padua and went on to coach Randwick, Leinster, Stade Francais, New South Wales and the Waratahs at club level. He coached Australia and Argentina on the international stage.

He has won various things at coaching level, including the 2015 Rugby Championship with Australia, the 2009 Heineken Cup with Leinster and the 2014 Super Rugby with New South Wales.

How did the rugby world react to the Leicester Tigers announcement?

A number of people reacted to the announcement on social media.

Former England player Andy Goode said: “A brilliant meeting by @LeicesterTigers to get Michael Cheika! Let the good times roll!”

Journalist Stephen Jones wrote: “Michael Cheika’s arrival at the Tigers is volcanic for the Premiership. Great coach, open, loud, lively. The Leicester renaissance begins now.”

And former Red Rose Rocky Clark said: “Huge news for @LeicesterTigers as Michael Cheika arrives in town.”

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