- Cheika claimed his side were ‘in it to win everything’ this campaign
- He took over from Dan McKellar in June after Tigers finished a eighth in league
- The 57-year-old has managed Leinster, Stade Francais and Argentina
Michael Cheika admitted he didn’t have a move to the Gallagher Premiership in mind but said he couldn’t turn down Leicester and then declared the Tigers are ‘in it to win everything’.
The Welford Road outfit shocked English club rugby when they confirmed the departure of previous head coach Dan McKellar in June and almost immediately replaced him with his fellow Australian Cheika. Leicester finished eighth last season in an underwhelming first campaign under McKellar.
Cheika, who has had a glittering coaching career with Leinster, Stade Francais, Australia and Argentina, has been brought in on short notice to turn things around. He is confident of doing so.
‘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 happy we got into the European Cup because it will be important for us to compete as hard as we can on all fronts.’
Michael Cheika admitted he didn’t have a move to the Gallagher Premiership in mind
He said he couldn’t turn down Leicester and then declared the Tigers are ‘in it to win everything’
The Welford Road outfit shocked English club rugby when they confirmed the departure of previous head coach Dan McKellar in June
Cheika also confirmed yesterday that England forward Ollie Chessum is progressing well from the shoulder surgery
Leicester won the Premiership in 2022 under the guidance of Steve Borthwick but then lost him, assistants Kevin Sinfield and Richard Wigglesworth and fitness guru Aled Walters all to England.
The Tigers have been rebuilding since and had planned to have McKellar in charge this term.
But they are also fortunate to be able to call on a man of Cheika’s experience. The 57-year-old has signed a one-year Tigers deal with the option to extend.
Cheika also confirmed yesterday that England forward Ollie Chessum is progressing well from the shoulder surgery which forced him to miss his country’s summer matches with Japan and New Zealand. Chessum is expected to be fit to start the new Premiership season in September.
