Michael Cheika back in Wallabies frame? ‘Disappointed’ Leicester Tigers confirm coach’s departure with ‘recruitment process’ leading to three-man shortlist
Leicester Tigers have confirmed Michael Cheika's depature with a three-man shortlist reportedly drawn up.
Leicester Tigers have confirmed that head coach Michael Cheika will vacate his position at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The former Wallabies boss joined the Premiership outfit at the start of the campaign following the departure of fellow countryman Dan McKellar, signing a one-year deal with the club.
There were hopes that Cheika would remain at the club beyond the current season after a vastly improved campaign in the Premiership, with the side sitting in fourth place overall after 11 rounds of action.
The Tigers have also progressed through to the knockout stages of the Investec Champions Cup, with Cheika quickly becoming a popular figure amongst fans and players.
Michael Chieka to leave Leicester
However, it is reported that he has made the decision to return to Australia to be with his family in Sydney despite enjoying his time with Leicester and the club wanting to extend his contract.
“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,” Leicester Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen said in a statement confirming Cheika’s impending departure.
“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.”
Leicester Tigers will now begin the process of finding Cheika’s successor, with the rumour mill already throwing up a few possibilities.
Potential successors
Rugby Pass have reported that former Tigers prop Graham Rowntree has been interviewed about potentially filling the void after his exit from Munster earlier in the season.
The publication have also stated that Leicester are plotting a swoop for Glasgow Warriors boss and ex-Springboks assistant coach Franco Smith.
Meanwhile, the Telegraph adds double World Cup-winning assistant coach Felix Jones to the reported shortlist after he left England’s backroom staff ahead of the Six Nations.
The Tigers have hit a roadblock with Jones, however, as the publication adds that he ‘is reluctant to step away from the international game’. Additionally, the report states that England senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth was also previously in the frame.
Pinchen confirmed that Leicester have already begun the recruitment process to find Cheika’s replacement.
“Knowing it was a one-year contract, the club has been running a recruitment process to find a suitablehead coach replacement,” the CEO added.
“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.”
Wallabies return?
Cheika has enjoyed a successful coaching career all over the world having previously coached the likes of Leinster, Waratahs, Australia, Argentina and Stade Francais.
He has even switched codes serving as an advisor to the Sydney Roosters and leading Lebanon into a Rugby League World Cup.
It is reported that Cheika could be eyeing up an NRL gig upon his return to Sydney while a return to the Wallabies job should not be off the table completely.
While Joe Schmidt has improved Australia’s performances immensely during his first year in charge of the Wallabies, he is expected to step down from the role at the end of the year despite Rugby Australia’s best efforts to keep him on board.
“There’s obviously a lot of interest in this element, and Joe’s been fantastic since he came as national coach at the start of 2024,” Rugby Australia (RA) chief executive Phil Waugh told?SEN earlier this month.
“We’re still working through [it].
“We talked through the fact that we’d have liked to have closed the position by the end of 2024, but that’s obviously crept into 2025 and we’re still working through with Joe, and others, around what post the Lions looks like to ensure we have the right environment, the right culture and the right performance from our Wallabies.
“So it’s a work in progress around what the future looks like for the Wallabies coaching structure post the Lions tour.”
READ MORE:?Rugby Australia issue update on Joe Schmidt’s future after key deadline passes
