Reports: 'Meyer signs for Tigers'
Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:22
Several influential UK newspapers have reported that former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer has already signed a contract with England glamour club Leicester Tigers.
The newspapers have speculated that Meyer will this week be announced as head coach of the Tigers.
The influential Daily Mail, reports; "Leicester have chosen former Springbok assistant coach Heyneke Meyer to make them a force in European rugby again next season".
Meyer will succeed Marcelo Loffreda,the former Argentinian coach who was sacked three weeks ago after only seven months at the club after the Tigers failed to win the Premiership final against Wasps.
The newspaper also writes that Meyer won the race ahead of six coaches from different countries - Wayne Smith (New Zealand), Jake White (South Africa), Eddie O'Sullivan (Ireland), Ewen McKenzie (Australia), David Young (Wales) and Fabien Galthie (France) - who were approached for the job.
Former England World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward had a direct input into the selection process in his role as a club director and Meyer- widely considered to be the best coach in South Africa- beat off all the competition.
According to the Daily Mail, Leicester believe the 41-year-old, who studied sports psychology at university, will create the disciplined environment needed for the club to flourish. It is also inferred that Meyer had already started talks with former Wallaby centre Matt O'Connor, who was recently released as Brumbies backs coach, to assist him in this capacity at the Tigers.
Richard Cockerill, the Leicester forwards coach, will stay on, but Meyer will announce new defence and backs coaches.
Meyer had previously intimated that, if he could not coach the Springboks, he would not coach at all.
His name had been linked to Stade Francais,Toulon and Munster - and there was a move to have him appointed as director of coaching of the SA Rugby Union after he was controversially beaten for the Springbok job by Peter de Villiers.
