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Michael Cheika. Alamy Stock Photo

Michael Cheika to leave Leicester head coach role after declining to extend contract

The Australian will be leaving at the end of the season.

ENGLISH RUGBY GIANTS Leicester have said head coach Michael Cheika will leave at the end of the season after he opted not to extend his contract with the Premiership club.

The 57-year-old Australian signed a one-year deal before the start of the current season but said last week talks about his future had been pushed back following a humiliating 80-12 defeat by Toulouse in the European Champions Cup.

“Leicester Tigers can confirm that Michael Cheika will not continue in his role as head coach beyond the current season,” the club said in a statement.

“Cheika joined the club ahead of the current campaign on a one-year deal.”

Chief executive Andrea Pinchen said the club had wanted the former Australia and Argentina coach — who guided the Wallabies to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final — to stay longer.

“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,” she said.

“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.

“Knowing it was a one-year contract, the club has been running a recruitment process to find a suitable replacement.”

Former Leicester prop and ex-Munster head coach Graham Rowntree has been touted as a potential successor.

Leicester are fourth in the Premiership table and have reached the last 16 of the European Champions Cup.

– © AFP 2025

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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:22 PM

    but I’m still heading over……

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    Mute Cortiss
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:31 PM

    @Noel Doherty: wouldn’t want to mess with you Noel, not even the hardest Noel on the platform

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @Noel Doherty: But how might you be heading back?

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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:46 PM

    @Cortiss: not possible I’m the hardest, hardiest hard man around so I am

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Mar 9th 2020, 2:06 PM

    Funny that might be end of six nation road for one or two players in the squad.

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Mar 9th 2020, 2:10 PM

    Over 3,000 people have died worldwide due to this deadly virus.

    Farrell moaning over a postponed match – and claiming that the players are “gutted” – is disappointing. “Gutted” is losing a relative to Covid-19.

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    Mute Robbie Graham
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    Mar 9th 2020, 3:10 PM

    @Robb Stark: Mate… it’s not. Gutted is a synonym for being disappointed and so in this case is appropriate. All he said was that he was disappointed to hear of the postponement but also says that “you can only do the right thing”. Gutted but what can ya do?

    No to be a semantic fool but you’re reading too much in it. He’s well aware of what the priority.

    I’d certainly be more than “gutted” if I lost a family member.

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    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
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    Mar 9th 2020, 6:22 PM

    @Robb Stark: calm your tits Robb

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    Mute Cortiss
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:31 PM

    Hopefully the champions cup games are called off too, I think divide out the tournament prize pool among the teams that qualified for the quarter finals, and have no winner. Health has to come first, (p.s, not just because I’m a Munster fan)

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    Mute Declan Keane
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:38 PM

    @Cortiss: more likely that they award the cup to the team that finished higher in group stages, ie Leinster

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Mar 9th 2020, 2:05 PM

    @Cortiss: would you be in favour of giving it to the top quallifed team after the league stages?

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    Mute baw baw
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    Mar 9th 2020, 3:06 PM

    Might be able to get a fit and firing 10 together by October.. Or at worst patch up carbery and have him available.. Eitherways his fly half stocks should be thickened out which can only be a good thing

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    Mute Niall James Fergal McCormack
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    Mar 9th 2020, 4:15 PM

    @baw baw: Jim demps

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    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
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    Mar 9th 2020, 6:24 PM

    @baw baw: face palm

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