Leicester Tigers have ended the speculation over their head coaching role by appointing former Blue Bulls supremo Heyneke Meyer to the role vacated last month by Marcelo Loffreda. This move, widely expected after fellow candidate Neil Back withdrew from the race by moving to Leeds Carnegie, will become final before the start of the new Guinness Premiership season.
Meyer will be charged with resurrecting the Tigers’ fortunes after a trophy-less season at Welford Road, during which the team reached two finals and exited the Heineken Cup at the pool stage. While such a record would be welcomed at many clubs, the history of success at Leicester put former Pumas head coach Loffreda on very shaky ground. Tigers’ former Springbok lock Marco Wentzel, a former Blue Bulls charge of Meyer, had gone on record as supporting the appointment as early as last Friday.
Meyer himself has said of his new job: “I am humbled a club like Leicester has considered me. I am very thankful they have appointed me and I am looking forward to getting started. I have always thought that if I want to get back into rugby it must be with one of the best clubs in the world, and I truly believe Leicester Tigers are one of the best clubs.” Tigers fans will be hoping that the new man hits the ground running, with the Heineken Cup draw putting Leicester in a pool with last season’s EDF Cup winners the Ospreys, and a Perpignan side galvanised by the six-month loan signing of Dan Carter.
Filed under: Guinness Premiership, OO Home, South Africa, Super 14, heineken cup | Tagged: blue bulls, Guinness Premiership, heineken cup, heyneke meyer, leicester tigers, rugby union
