Pro life for Loffreda

New Leicester coach Marcelo Loffreda spoke to Rugby Club about his plans for the Tigers.

Marcelo Loffreda insists he wants to mix an amateur ethos with professional values after taking charge at Leicester. Speaking to The Rugby Club ahead of his first Guinness Premiership match in charge of the Tigers against Leeds Carnegie, the former Argentina coach plans to stress the importance of respect at the club. He said: "The club and the organisation is professional, but the work ethic is like the amateurs. They feel it and play with their hearts, but they play as professionals. "One of the main things that I tried to install in the Argentina team is to work with a lot of respect in all directions. The staff need respect for the players and the players for the staff. There must also be respect between the players and between the staff. "That is one of the main things I have always tried to bring and I will continue with that." Loffreda, who is taking up his first full-time paid job in rugby, received the call from Leicester while he was on a family holiday on the beach and admitted the move will be a massive change for him. "It began with a telephone call and within three or four days I was here having a lot of meetings," he continued. "Then I had to take a decision with my family and I accepted the challenge. It was a big decision - a life decision. "Now I will have to find a house and get used to the driving on the other side of the road. "There are many things. The language is an obstacle that I will have to sort out in a short time. "Although when I see (Leicester forwards coach) Richard Cockerill's face, I can understand him. He doesn't need to be talking for me to understand him. He is a wonderful person and an outstanding person."