Premiership coach quits in day of high drama
NEWS: The 2018/19 season has claimed its first casualty, on a day of high drama on Monday.
Leicester announced coach Matt O’Connor’s departure from the club “with immediate effect”, 48 hours after a 40-6 defeat to Exeter.
O’Connor will be replaced by his assistant Geordan Murphy “on an interim basis”, Leicester said in a statement in which they thanked O’Connor for his contribution in two spells at the club.
“We would like to thank Matt for his hard work and commitment to the club in two spells at Welford Road, and we wish him and his family well for the future,” the statement said.
O’Connor began his second spell at the club towards the end of the 2016/17 season and guided Leicester into the Premiership semifinals.
But a fifth-place finish at the end of last season meant the Tigers missed out on a place in the Premiership play-offs for the first time in 14 seasons.
“As a club, Leicester Tigers will always aspire to challenge for major honours in the incredibly competitive arena of professional elite club rugby and everyone at the club will fully support Geordan and the management group in driving the team forward,” Chairman Peter Tom said.
“Geordan knows the expectations and ambitions of the Tigers as well as anyone after more than 20 years here as player and coach, and we wish him and the team the very best for the challenges ahead.”
Murphy is an eight-time Premiership title winner and double European champion in 16 years as a player at Tigers.
Leicester Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor has left the club with immediate effect.
Read the official club statement online now ⬇️ https://t.co/6OymZf2KZK
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) September 3, 2018