'He understands the Tigers DNA': Ex-CEO Simon Cohen's pick for head coach

Leicester Tigers fans have accused the club of making a mess of its search to replace Michael Cheika, but the club’s former chief executive, Simon Cohen, thinks there is an easy answer to their problems.

Cheika will depart Welford Road when his contract runs out at the end of the season, only a year after he was named as a permanent replacement for another Australian, Dan McKellar, who has since returned to the NSW Waratahs.

The Tigers have been linked with moves for Franco Smith, Graham Rowntree, Richard Wigglesworth, Paul Gustard and Stuart Lancaster but haven’t managed to make an appointment.

British & Irish Lions coaching team press conference | RP

Andy Farrell and his British and Irish Lions coaching team take questions from Alex Payne ahead of their 2025 tour of Australia.

British & Irish Lions coaching team press conference | RP

Andy Farrell and his British and Irish Lions coaching team take questions from Alex Payne ahead of their 2025 tour of Australia.

They are now finding it is affecting their recruitment plans for this summer, with big-name players seemingly unwilling to join them while the uncertainty of who will be in charge at Welford Road lingers in the air.

Cohen, who was Tigers CEO until his sudden departure in May 2020, has urged the club to end their search for a new coach by going down a tried-and-tested route and reappointing Richard Cockerill to his old job.

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Cockerill, 54, who is now in charge of Black Lion and the Georgian national team, led the Tigers to Premiership titles in 2009, 2010 and 2013 during his eight years in the hot seat.

Cohen, writing on LinkedIn, believes that Tigers legend Cockerill ticks all the boxes of what the club is looking for and has urged them to make a move before it’s too late.

“I worked with Cockers for a decade, and we shouted at each other more than any married couple, but he’s a good bloke and a good coach.

“I don’t know what Tigers are looking for in a new coach (I hope they do), but Cockers would tick a lot of boxes – he knows the competition, he’s won trophies, he’s honest and very hardworking.

“He understands the Tigers DNA – his coaching philosophy suits the players they have – they say never go back, but …” he wrote.