Monday 2 January 2017 23:29, UK
Leicester Tigers have sacked director of rugby Richard Cockerill in the wake of their New Year's Day defeat by Saracens.
Cockerill had been on the coaching staff at Welford Road since 2004 and took on the top job in 2010 after the Tigers had retained their Premiership crown while he was acting as head coach.
He was in charge when they won a record 10th Premiership title in 2013, but Leicester failed to get past the play-off semi-finals in the last three seasons and lost a European Champions Cup semi-final last season as well.
Tigers head coach Aaron Mauger will take interim charge of the team, working with coaches Richard Blaze and Geordan Murphy while the club's board conducts a coaching review.
Sunday's defeat against reigning champions Saracens was their second straight reverse in the league and third in four games in all competitions, leaving them 15 points adrift of leaders Wasps in fifth.
Cockerill, who first joined the club as a player in 1992, said: "It is with great sadness and regret that I leave my position as director of rugby with immediate effect.
"I still believe that I am the right person to lead the team at this present time but respect the board's decision to make change as they see fit in the best interests of the club.
"I wish to thank the club and in particular Simon Cohen and Peter Tom for giving me the opportunity to lead this great club and the support they have given me in the last seven years.
"I arrived back at the club in 2004 as an academy coach and leave as director of rugby with a record that speaks for itself and stands up against any in club rugby in the world.
"This club has made me the person and the coach I am today and I will never forget what they have done for me. I wish Tom Youngs and the team the very best for the future and will miss being part of the Tigers Family."
