Leicester’s spit and sawdust training ground and its practical approach have been a source of great pride for the club and have been a fundamental part of their success over the years.
But as she sat at Oval Park earlier this month, Tigers CEO Andrea Finzen had a very clear message for everyone associated with the organization she leads.
“Finishing eighth is not Leicester’s aim,” Finzen said calmly but clearly.
‘That’s not enough. It’s not what the season ticket holders are paying to come and see us, and we know that. We expect more than that.’
Now this is Michael Cheika.
Former Australian manager Michael Cheika is the latest to be appointed as Leicester manager.
Tigers chief executive Andrea Finzen is determined to get Leicester higher up the table.
After another devastating summer at Welford Road in the aftermath of a disappointing 2023-24 Gallagher Premiership season, Leicester are embarking on another rebuild.
Australian manager Dan McKellar has stepped down, having been in charge for just over a year, and Cheika has come in, who is certainly not lacking in experience, but he is the eighth manager to have managed Leicester in less than eight years. It is not an ideal situation.
‘I’m personally looking for stability so we don’t have to do this every year,’ Finzen said with a wry smile. ‘It’s no secret that stability is key, but when something unexpected happens, it presents a different challenge. You can’t just give up on a season. It’s really important for us to do well this season. Stability would be good.’
Leicester are used to upheaval. Their long-term plans for a Premier League title triumph in 2022 were thrown into disarray when Steve Borthwick was appointed by the RFU to succeed Eddie Jones as England manager.
Naturally, Borthwick took up the national job and travelled to Twickenham with his assistants Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield, Tom Harrison and Aled Walters.
Since the departure of former hooker Richard Cockerill in January 2017, the Tigers have been managed by Aaron Moger, Matt O’Connor, Jordan Murphy, Borthwick, Wigglesworth and McKellar.
McKellar left by mutual consent this summer, more than a month after the final game of the season, and Cheika, who packed his bags to return to the southern hemisphere from his home in Paris, has been parachuted in. The 57-year-old has signed a one-year contract with an option to extend. In McKellar’s ​​only season at Leicester, they failed to make the play-offs and despite arriving on short notice, it is clear that Cheika needs to be much better than that.
And while the loss of Jasper Wiese, a tempestuous carrier, is undoubtedly a huge blow, Cheika has a strong and impressive squad full of international players. Having coached at Test level in Australia and Argentina and at Leinster and Stade Francais, Cheika has already declared that he will go out and ‘win everything’ with his new team.
Mail Sport understands that Leicester players have been impressed with Cheika’s methods so far.
Ollie Chesum, who has returned from injury, is expected to put in an impressive performance under coach Cheika.
“When you play for a club like this, sometimes you feel like you have to live up to the reputation, but the real goal is to make the club better, to develop it further and to use the things that are inspired by its tradition,” Cheika said at his unveiling.
‘I believe the club may have an identity that revolves around tenacious, attacking forward play, which suits me really well, but they also have a strong history of playing with quality backs over the years. It’s a different type of backline play that we haven’t seen much of recently. To win at the top level, you need a lot of strings to your bow. That’s what we’re trying to do to compete for titles on two fronts. I want to win the Championship.’
Sheikha left Argentina after reaching the World Cup semi-finals last year and hinted Leicester could be playing a slightly different style to what club fans are used to.
He was already busy making his mark, and between brief trips back to Paris to collect his belongings, Cheika’s family returned to their native Australia without him.
Mail Sport understands Leicester players have been impressed with Cheika’s methods so far and with a month left until the new campaign, pre-season preparations have accelerated.
Cheika introduced one-on-one wrestling sessions and tug-of-war matches into the Tigers’ training regime, both of which were highly competitive. In one wrestling match, fullback Mike Brown was left bleeding from the ear after tussling with England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet.
Cheika’s engaging personality was also well-received. He was keen to get to know all the players and was seen engaging in a lively discussion with England striker Ollie Chessum, who was returning from injury on the day of the unveiling.
Leicester’s managerial change leaves them in a race to catch up just a month before the Premier League season begins. But fortunately, they have someone with immense knowledge in Cheika to ensure the team gets off to a smooth start. They travel to Exeter for their league opener on September 21.
Ben Youngs, who is recovering from a heart condition, is looking forward to working under Cheika’s guidance.
‘I’m used to going through big turns, that’s my area of ​​expertise,’ admits Cheika, who believes her unique personality and presence in the Premier League will help elevate the league’s profile.
‘It’s not that big of a turnaround. I’m working hard to improve the mentality and habits of this group, because I believe the quality of the players is definitely there.
‘There’s a lot of work to be done, and we’re all going to work together to build that consistency. I think my experience helps. I’ve seen a lot of different levels, a lot of different players. I’ve seen a lot of different techniques and developments in the game. I think we can feel a little bit more stable already.’
With young and talented England strikers George Martin and Chesham, Argentina hooker Julian Montoya and Wales midfielder Tommy Riffel, Leicester have a strong squad despite the departure of consistent No.8 Bizet to Japan.
The signing of Wales prop Nicky Smith could also prove tricky as he is a strong scrummaster. Smith joined from Osprey and has been strangely overlooked by his national team boss Warren Gatland. He will be keen to prove a point at his new club.
South Africa flyhalf Handre Pollard will miss the start of the season due to international fixtures for the Rugby Championship.
But he will soon be back to lead Leicester. Like Smith, full-back Freddie Steward will be keen to show his worth after being left out of the England team last season. Cheika will also be keen to get Anthony Watson fit.
Former England scrum-half Ben Youngs, who is recovering from a heart attack, said: “I love this club so I always want the best for it. I want the club to be as successful as possible.”
Youngs was recently diagnosed with an arrhythmia (a type of irregular heartbeat) and required surgery.
Youngs, England’s most capped male player, had to undergo surgery after being diagnosed with an arrhythmia (a type of irregular heartbeat in which the upper part of the heart beats too quickly or irregularly), which caused him to collapse during a training session.
“Anyone who leaves Leicester wants to go and make their own history,” said Young, 34. “And this year we want to make our own history.
‘When you bring in someone with Michael’s pedigree, it says a lot about the club, the roster, the support we have, the league. I think it’s great.
‘I’m looking forward to working under Michael. He has a way of playing. He knows how he wants to play and that’s reassuring as a player. You can just get behind that.’
