Latest Rumours: Coaches

kornboy130 · Post by **kornboy130** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:18 pm

thought i may aswell copy and past this for the article i did on the unoffy:

Dick Muir - though Springbok assistant coach, Muir is yet to sign a contract with the SARFU which leaves him open to be poached. The Daily Mail says we have "redoubled" our efforts to sign him up but overall does not seem to be a strong contender as only mentioned in the Mail in a passing reference.

Pat Howard - Paddy as he is more affectionately known was chiefly responsible for the success of Tigers domestic double and 80 minutes off a first ever treble as Head coach in this period. An Ex-player and coach of tigers he is currently a free agent and has been linked with us through Sky Sports.

Daryl Gibson - Gibbo has been linked with us through many sources some say as a backs coach and some say as head coach. I am not sure which capacity he will be brought in as. A great defensive organiser and player when with Tigers - he was quoted saying he wanted to stay on as a coach but was not given this opportunity. Now the opportunity is there again I would be the first to welcome him back as a backs coach... but as a head coach? Lack of experience could well count against him here. A strong candidate for backs coach - but for head coach?

Jake White - a hot contender according to Sky and BBC, world cup winner White has the coaching credentials to make you drool having worked his way up from schools rugby to head coach of a world cup winning Springboks side. Though never a player White has coached at practically all levels of the game and was linked with the job when Pat Howard decided he was going to call it a day. White is currently on the IRB panel of consultant coaches but it should not be difficult to bring him away from this roll. Probably strongest of the external candidates by some margin.

The Others - Seeing as Tom mentioned Southern Hemisphere coaches having a think about it and all I can see is Ewan McKenzie who led a Waratahs outfit who were nothing short of abysmal last season to a super 14 final this year. He's been linked with Stade Francais job for a while but could be an option here... though hasn’t been mentioned in any press articles.Internal interviews have been mentioned so there are only 2 real candidates from within:

Richard Cockerill - Cockers was head coach during the world cup leading us to 4 wins from 6 against tough opposition with a largely depleted squad. Passionate about his rugby though often a bit too passionate was caught off guard making comments about how we weren’t good enough to make the play offs which could count against him. Personally I'm not in favour of an internally appointed head coach either way, but Cockers would probably not get my Vote of the two. Today mentioned to be out of the running due to lack of interest.

Neil Back - Mercury has Backy down as the favourite to take over at Welford Road. Neil has shown endless credentials as a player but as defence coach our defence has struggled at stages in the season - though this could be attributed to other aspects of the coaching setup, the blame must rest with Backy. Leicester through and through and will certainly know about the club Ethos and as one of the greatest players the game has seen he will most definitely know a thing or two.After those there are those mentioned as possible backs coach options:

Austin Healey - inevitably linked with the club for Backs coach or specialist scrum half role left by Jamie Hamilton. Healey was apparently offered an England job by Ashton just before Ashton himself was fired so obviously someone thinks he has the credentials. Having played 9,10, 14 and 15 he will obviously know how to organise a back line and was a gifted player. His cheeky nature and apparent problems in the past with Cockerill might work against him but these could be ironed out. A Good option overall.

Daryl Gibson - see above.

Will Greenwood - mentioned in the Daily Mail and by Steve Booth on Radio Leicester’s rugby hour Greenwood was the defensive organiser for England and Tigers in his time here. A great defensive centre with a knack for scoring tries Greenwood, in my opinion, looks to have what it takes to carry it in to coaching.

Mike Catt - recognised as a preferred option by Paul Ackford in the Telegraph, Catt wishes to have another year to sure-up his credentials before taking on such a prestigious role. Whether that role mentioned is as a backs coach or head coach - I guess we won't know until next season when he has had his year.

Brian Smith - another Ex-tigers player in the running and has a great record at Exiles. Smith is being courted by England and is quoted in the Telegraph as being unavailable as such.

salcombe bob · Post by **salcombe bob** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:55 pm

i want a world class proven coach.

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:01 pm

kb, you missed the Eddie O'Sullivan rumour.

I dunno, you just can't get the staff around here ......

Chobbsy · Post by **Chobbsy** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:04 pm

My source tells me Dusty has been spoken to

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:42 pm

Brian Asgton is available. And Randrew is becoming available. DoR and threes coach. What more do we need?

Ben the Tiger · Post by **Ben the Tiger** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:47 pm

To be honest as much as I would like it I can't see Paddy coming back.

kornboy130 · Post by **kornboy130** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:53 pm

dailywaffle wrote:kb, you missed the Eddie O'Sullivan rumour.

I dunno, you just can't get the staff around here ......

has EOS beein mentioned in any press?

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:55 pm

Understand in both The Mail and the Irish Free Press!!

chandler262827 · Post by **chandler262827** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:01 pm

Is Lyn Jones available?

Dammit, already mentioned on t'other thread:

http://www.tigers.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22615

I hate it when my silliness is preceded.

Ben the Tiger · Post by **Ben the Tiger** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:13 pm

What about Sir Clive?

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:31 pm

Bill W wrote:Understand in both The Mail and the Irish Free Press!!

And the Times.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:33 pm

dailywaffle wrote:
Bill W wrote:Understand in both The Mail and the Irish Free Press!!
And the Times.

Dammit that is semi-respectable!!

MurphysLaw · Post by **MurphysLaw** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:12 pm

Kb - on the SH coaching front, Laurie Fisher, outgoing Head Coach at Brumbies. Haven't seen any specific reports linking him to the job, but I did see something a while ago saying that he would like to come to the UK, and that he had people looking for opportunities.

Bill W · Post by **Bill W** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:24 pm

MurphysLaw wrote:Kb - on the SH coaching front, Laurie Fisher, outgoing Head Coach at Brumbies. Haven't seen any specific reports linking him to the job, but I did see something a while ago saying that he would like to come to the UK, and that he had people looking for opportunities.

Didn't his wifes cousin's cleaners husband know someone who worked at Tigers?

That makes him an insider!!!