Leicester Tigers appoint Michael Cheika as head coach

Cheika was previously Argentina’s head coach for two years before stepping down in December. He led the team to fourth place at last year’s Rugby World Cup.

“Honestly, I wasn’t watching the Premiership and had no desire to coach until Leicester Tigers came to me,” Cheika said in a statement.

“But the opportunity to coach the Tigers and lead this group of players turned my head around.”

Cheika won the European Cup with Leinster, the Super Rugby title with the NSW Waratahs and also led Australia to the Rugby World Cup final in 2015 and the quarter-finals four years later.

“We believe Michael is the right person to take this team, this club back to where we know we should be,” Leicester CEO Andrea Pinchen said in a statement.

“I also accept that last week was not what the fans expected and neither were we, but the decisions we have taken are for the long-term benefit of Leicester Tigers.

“And after long, detailed and very honest discussions with Michael over the last few days, we are on the same page with what is now needed to see this club back on top.”