Michael Cheika: Leicester Tigers head coach to leave Gallagher Premiership club at end of season after contract ends
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ByOli Gent
Published 30/01/2025 at 13:32 GMT
Michael Cheika will leave Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, the Gallagher Premiership club has announced. The Australian, who has been at the helm since last summer, has overseen a huge upturn in form since his arrival, guiding the Tigers to fourth in the Premiership table and into the Champions Cup knockout stages. Leicester CEO Andrea Pinchen said the club are "disappointed".
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Michael Cheika will leave Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, it was announced on Thursday.
Cheika, who arrived at Mattioli Woods Welford Road to some fanfare last summer, will vacate his head coach position with the Gallagher Premiership side after just a season at the helm.
Leicester CEO Andrea Pinchen said in a statement: "While disappointed, given the positive influence Michael has had since joining us in the summer, we were always aware of this being a one-year deal and we have been transparent with players, staff, and supporters on that point.
"As we have said throughout Michael’s tenure, we would have liked to have extended his time in the Head Coach role but understand why that can’t happen."
Cheika has led Leicester to fourth in the Gallagher Premiership table, with six wins from 11 as they look to improve on a dismal previous campaign, where they finished eighth and won only half of their matches.
Leicester, 11-time Premiership champions, appointed Cheika after they sacked Dan McKellar for not reaching the Premiership play-offs.
The Tigers have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions Cup under Cheika’s leadership, with the Australian a former winner of the tournament with Leinster in 2009.
When asked about a potential replacement, Pinchen explained: "Knowing it was a one-year contract, the club has been running a recruitment process to find a suitable Head Coach replacement."
"It goes without saying that Michael is fully committed to seeing out his time as Head Coach in a successful way, determined to add silverware to the trophy cabinet at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and we are excited about what remains in this campaign."
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