Leicester Tigers’ no-nonsense, spit-and-sawdust training ground and straightforward methods have long been pillars of the club’s proud legacy and success. However, as she addressed those gathered at Oval Park earlier this month, Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen delivered a stark reminder of the club’s high standards.
“Finishing eighth isn’t what Leicester is about,” Pinchen stated firmly. “That’s not good enough. It’s not what season-ticket holders pay to come and see, and we’re fully aware of that. Our expectations are greater.”
Following a tumultuous summer at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, after a disappointing 2023-24 Gallagher Premiership season, Leicester finds itself in yet another phase of rebuilding. Out went Australian head coach Dan McKellar after just one year, and in comes Michael Cheika, an experienced leader but the eighth head coach in less than eight years—a clear sign of the instability plaguing the club.
“I’m personally looking for stability, so we don’t have to do this every year,” Pinchen said with a wry smile. “Stability is key, but when unexpected challenges arise, we can’t just write off a season. It’s crucial that we perform well this season, and stability would be great.”
Leicester has grown accustomed to upheaval. Their long-term planning, which brought them a Premiership title in 2022, was disrupted when Steve Borthwick was poached by the RFU to succeed Eddie Jones as England’s head coach. Borthwick took with him key assistants, leaving a void that Leicester has struggled to fill ever since.
Since the departure of former hooker Richard Cockerill in January 2017, the Tigers have seen a revolving door of head coaches: Aaron Mauger, Matt O’Connor, Geordan Murphy, Borthwick, Richard Wigglesworth, and McKellar. The latest departure, McKellar, left by mutual consent this summer, adding to the chaos. Cheika, who was preparing to move back to the southern hemisphere, was brought in at short notice, signing a one-year deal with an option to extend.
Despite the loss of key players like Jasper Wiese, Cheika inherits a strong, international-caliber squad. With his extensive experience coaching at both Test level with Australia and Argentina, and club level with Leinster and Stade Francais, Cheika has made his intentions clear: he’s “in it to win everything” with Leicester. Now, all eyes are on him to deliver on those bold words and restore stability and success to the Tigers.
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