Almost two years out from the 2027 World Cup, Michael Cheika – the 2015 World Rugby coach of the year – is a free agent.
Leicester Tigers announced on Thursday that the former Wallabies and Argentina head coach would finish up after one season to return to Australia.
Despite being offered an extension, Cheika, who accepted an SOS to replace fellow Australian Dan McKellar, opted against staying at Welford Road.
“While disappointed, given the positive influence Michael has had since joining us in the summer, we were always aware of this being a one-year deal and we have been transparent with players, staff, and supporters on that point,” Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen said.
“As we have said throughout Michael’s tenure, we would have liked to have extended his time in the head coach role but understand why that can’t happen.”
Michael Cheika will finish up with the Leicester Tigers at season’s end. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Cheika, 57, was unveiled by Leicester late last June after McKellar and the Tigers split after just one season.
Although Cheika only had to move across the English Channel, having been based in Paris during his time as Argentina coach where he led Los Pumas back to the World Cup semi-finals, the Australian was due to return to return Down Under with his family.
Instead, Cheika’s family returned home without him as the larger-than-life personality attempted to get the Tigers back on track after an underwhelming season under McKellar’s watch during the World Cup and Six Nations disrupted season.
That Cheika has done, with the Tigers currently fourth in the English Premiership.
After bombing out in the Champions Cup last year in the pool stages, the Tigers will meet Glasgow in the Champions Cup round of 16 too.
Steve Borthwick is under plenty of pressure heading into the 2025 Six Nations. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)
Already the Tigers have been linked to several well-credentialled coaching figures, including club great Graham Rowntree, Glasgow’s Franco Smith and former England and South Africa assistant Felix Jones.
After making a clean break from the Tigers, Cheika is well-placed to pounce on an international role should one pop up in the lead up to the 2027 World Cup.
Several coaches are under pressure ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations opening round, with England’s Steve Borthwick and Wales’ Warren Gatland in particular feeling the heat after struggling following the 2023 World Cups.
Rugby Australia, too, could be on the hunt for a new boss in the coming weeks with chief-executive Phil Waugh revealing that Joe Schmidt’s future beyond August’s Lions series finale would likely be known in the next fortnight.
Even if Schmidt does call time on his brief tenure with the Wallabies, it’s unlikely RA would go after Cheika given his ugly departure at the end of 2019.
Nonetheless, The Roar understands Cheika is interested in taking on another international coaching role and the 2027 World Cup in his backyard looms as the perfect target.
