Leicester appoint new Meyer

Former Bulls chief named as Tigers coach

By Tony Curtis   Last updated: 30th June 2008

Heyneke Meyer

Meyer: Appointed Leicester coach

I am humbled that a club like Leicester Tigers has considered me alongside the other candidates for the job of head coach and I am very thankful that they have appointed me.

Heyneke Meyer.
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South African Heyneke Meyer has been confirmed as Leicester new coach.

Meyer, who led the Bulls to the 2007 Super 14s title, has agreed a three-year deal to replace Marcelo Loffreda at Welford Road.

The 40-year-old had quit the Bulls in a bid to become the Springboks coach - only to lose out to Peter de Villiers.

And Meyer is delighted to have agreed a deal with Leicester.

He said: "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 in world rugby.

"I have a lot of respect for what the club has achieved in the past and I have been impressed with everybody I have met from the club.

Humbled

"I know there are a lot of competitive clubs in the Guinness Premiership and I am looking forward to the challenge with Leicester Tigers.

"I am humbled that a club like Leicester Tigers has considered me alongside the other candidates for the job of head coach and I am very thankful that they have appointed me.

"Now I am looking forward to getting started."

South Africa's World Cup-winning coach Jake White, Cardiff chief Dai Young and former player Neil Back were all in the running for the role, however Leicester Tigers chairman Peter Tom insists Meyer was the best man for the job.

Tom said: "We believe Heyneke is the outstanding candidate for a job which attracted a massive amount of interest from coaches all over the rugby world.

"He has a superb record in South Africa and we were very impressed by his levels of professionalism, preparation and enthusiasm when he spoke to us.

"Heyneke has dealt with top-quality international players in his time with the Bulls and in working with the South Africa national squad. He has also developed players from within the ranks at his previous clubs and he has an impressive record of success in a very competitive environment.

"We believe he is the man to take Leicester Tigers forward in a crucial time for this club."

Comments

Matt England says...

Quality appointment, at least we didn't consider Young too much. Hopefully we'll start to introduce some dynamic back play which was virtually non existent last season.

Posted 00:30 1st July 2008

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