Cheika looking to build on Tigers’ reputation

New Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika wants to build on the club’s reputation ahead of his first season in the English Premiership.

The Australian, who led Irish side Leinster to their 2009 European Champions Cup victory against the Tigers, was appointed head coach in June.

Leicester have won 11 Premiership titles – the most recent in 2022 – and two European Champions Cups during their history.

“That interests me a lot, that’s one of the reasons why I’m here,” Cheika told BBC Radio Leicestershire.

“What I want the lads to do is not to leave it up to the reputation of the team but to take it and make it better.

“I think that’s what all the past players of the club would love to see and definitely all the fans.”

It has been a whirlwind six weeks for 57-year-old Cheika who was living in Paris, where he was based as head coach of Argentina, before coming to the East Midlands.

The former Wallabies player and coach replaced fellow Australian Dan McKellar at Welford Road, who guided Leicester to eighth last season in the league.

Cheika said he had been planning to move back to Australia with his family but the Tigers job was too much to turn down.

“With coaching, it’s very three dimensional. You’ve got to be the right person, for the right team at the right time,” said Cheika.

“Even though it was a quick decision that had to be made, it was one I wanted to make because at different times throughout my history, I’ve had some contact with Leicester.

“The timing’s never worked out but this time the timing’s worked out nicely. I saw a really good opportunity and jumped on it,” he added.

Cheika’s first match in charge will be next month away to Exeter Chiefs on the Gallagher Premiership’s opening weekend.

“From a personal point of view, I’m still settling in,” Cheika said.

“I’m trying to come to terms with a new environment. I haven’t lived in the UK before. I’m immensely looking forward to it.”