Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Geoff Parling has been appointed Leicester Tigers head coach on a long-term deal starting next season, ending months of speculation about Michael Cheika’s replacement.

The 41-year-old is currently an assistant coach of the Wallabies and will take up the reins at the Tigers in August 2025 after the 2025 British & Irish Lions Series.

Prior to joining the Wallabies, Parling was an assistant coach with the Melbourne Rebels, specialising in the lineout.

As a player, Parling won three Premierships, including two with the Tigers, and made more than 300 senior appearances in a professional career that spanned 15 seasons in England, Japan, and Australia.

In six seasons at the Tigers, he made almost a century of appearances for the club and represented both England and the Lions at Test level.

Parling moved straight into coaching with the Rebels after retiring as a player. In 2020, he was recruited by then-Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie to join his coaching team alongside his role in Melbourne.

At the beginning of 2024, he left the Rebels after new Australian coach Joe Schmidt appointed him to his Wallabies coaching team.

A host of big names have been linked to the Tigers’ job, including Leon MacDonald, Richard Cockerill, Graham Rowntree and ex-England boss Stuart Lancaster, but they have opted for the northeast native.

“I was lucky enough have some incredible moments in the Leicester Tigers jersey, made through hard work by good people, and so I am extremely proud to be coming back to lead the club,” said Parling.

“There are not many opportunities that would make myself and my family think about leaving Australia, the place we’ve called home for the past seven years, but coming back to Leicester Tigers is one that we are really looking forward to.”

“I know the club is looking for stability, and I will be focused on building an environment with strong foundations, where people can see both what is needed and what it means to be a Tiger.”

Club Chairman Tom Scott said: “I am looking forward to welcoming Geoff, his wife Elle and their family back to Leicestershire and back to the club.”

“It was vital for us, from the outset, to find the right person to lead the club long in the future and after a rigorous process, we are confident Geoff is the right person.

“He is a high-calibre coach, strong leader, and understands this club. He achieved success here as a player and we believe he will as a coach.

“Geoff has made great strides in his coaching career over the past eight years and we are excited that we will be a part of his next chapter, one that will last long into the future, at Leicester Tigers.”

Parling will become Leicester’s ninth head coach in as many seasons, and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Pinchen hopes his appointment will end the instability that has held the club back.

“It is brilliant to be able to announce the appointment of Geoff Parling as our new Head Coach from next season on a long-term deal,” she said.

“We, like our supporters and everyone involved at the club, want stability in the role of Head Coach and took our time in reaching this decision to ensure we found the right person to provide that for the club.

“Geoff has a great knowledge of Leicester Tigers and the demands of the Premiership and European rugby. He has been very clear in his want to build an environment that not only sees players reach their potential but delivers on the demands of success from our supporters.

“He is passionate about developing his players and coaches, clear in the identity of his team and committed to bringing through Leicester Tigers-made players from the pathway programme.

“We are pleased this process has concluded, resulting in a high-quality appointment from the hard work that has gone into it, and can now enjoy what is going to be an exciting finish to Michael Cheika’s tenure as head coach.”