Michael Cheika admits he never wanted to join Leicester Tigers

Michael Cheika admitted that a move to the Gallagher Premiership wasn’t initially on his radar, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity with Leicester. He also emphasized that the Tigers are “in it to win everything.”

Leicester Tigers stunned English rugby by announcing the departure of their previous head coach, Dan McKellar, in June, and swiftly brought in Cheika as his replacement. The team had a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premiership last season under McKellar.

Cheika, known for his successful coaching stints with Leinster, Stade Français, Australia, and Argentina, has been hired on short notice to turn Leicester’s fortunes around and is confident about the challenge.

“I probably wasn’t aiming to come into the Premiership, but when a club like Leicester makes that approach, it’s almost impossible not to take it,” Cheika said.

“We’re in it to win everything. I’m really pleased that we’ve qualified for the European Cup because competing strongly across all fronts will be crucial for us.”

Leicester Tigers won the Premiership in 2022 under Steve Borthwick, but they subsequently lost him along with assistants Kevin Sinfield and Richard Wigglesworth, as well as fitness guru Aled Walters, all of whom moved to England’s national setup.

Since then, the Tigers have been in a period of rebuilding and had initially planned to have Dan McKellar as head coach for the current season.

However, Leicester Tigers are fortunate to have secured the expertise of Michael Cheika. The 57-year-old has signed a one-year contract with the Tigers, which includes an option for extension.

Cheika also confirmed that England forward Ollie Chessum is making good progress from the shoulder surgery that kept him out of England’s summer fixtures against Japan and New Zealand. Chessum is expected to be fit to start the new Premiership season in September.

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