Leicester Tigers have sacked director of rugby Richard Cockerill after nearly eight years in charge.<\/p>\n
The 46-year-old has been on the Premiership club’s coaching staff since 2004, took over as head coach in 2009 and became director of rugby in 2010.<\/p>\n
“It is with great sadness and regret that I leave my position. I still believe that I am the right person to lead the team,” Cockerill said.<\/p>\n
Head coach Aaron Mauger will take over on an interim basis.<\/p>\n
Tigers are fifth in the Premiership, 15 points adrift of leaders Wasps having lost five of their 12 league games so far this season. The were beaten by 16-12 by Saracens on New Year’s Day.<\/p>\n
Cockerill, who has spent 23 of the last 25 years of his career with Tigers, said he “respected the board’s decision” to make a change they see as being “in the best interests of the club”.<\/p>\n
He added that “This club has made me the person and the coach I am today and I will never forget what they have done for me. I will miss being part of the Tigers family.”<\/p>\n
Last month, following the 18-16 Champions Cup win over Munster, Cockerill said reports claiming he faced the sack and that described the coaching structure at Leicester Tigers as toxic were “rubbish”.<\/p>\n
Former England and Tigers hooker Cockerill spent 10 years with the club as a player from 1992 before returning to Welford Road as an academy coach.<\/p>\n
After two spells in interim charge he was appointed full-time head coach in April 2009, with Tigers winning the Premiership title and reaching the European Cup final in his first season in the role.<\/p>\n
Leicester have never failed to reach the Premiership semi-finals under Cockerill and as well as winning the final in 2008-09, they were also victorious in 2009-10 and 2012-13.<\/p>\n
Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE said that “We thank Richard for his loyal and dedicated service as a player, coach and director of rugby. He has a great passion for the club and for the game of rugby, and has shared in many massive occasions with the Tigers.<\/p>\n
“The club always has aspirations to contest the major honours in the game and that remains unchanged but the board believes this is the right time to make a change.”<\/p>\n
As a player, hooker Cockerill made 262 appearances for Tigers, winning five league titles, two domestic cups, two Heineken Cups and he also played 27 times for England.<\/p>\n
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