NEWS: Leicester Tigers confirmed that Michael Cheika will not continue in his role as head coach beyond the current season.

Cheika joined the club ahead of the current campaign on a one-year deal.

Speaking about the confirmation, Leicester Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen said: “While disappointed, given the positive influence Michael has had since joining us, we were always aware of this being a one-year deal and we have been transparent with players, staff, and supporters on that point.

“As we have said throughout Michael’s tenure, we would have liked to have extended his time in the head coach role but understand why that can’t happen.”

Former jeans tycoon Cheika, who made millions in the fashion industry, has not agreed to extend his deal with the Welford Road outfit.

Rugbypass revealed that the 57-year-old ex-Wallaby and Argentina boss is widely tipped to return to Australia, where his family is based, and wait for an opening in the NRL, where he has previously expressed an interest in working.

On the process to replace Cheika, Pinchen added: “Knowing it was a one-year contract, the club has been running a recruitment process to find a suitable head coach replacement.

“It goes without saying that Michael is fully committed to seeing out his time as head coach in a successful way, determined to add silverware to the trophy cabinet at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and we are excited about what remains in this campaign.”

The club revealed it will make no further comment on the recruitment process at this time, however, there have been reports that Franco Smith is one of the contenders to replace Cheika.

The former Springbok flyhalf Smith is under contract to the Scotstoun outfit Glasgow Warriors until 2026.

Since taking over from Danny Wilson in 2022, the former Italy boss has led Glasgow to a European Challenge Cup final defeat to Toulon and then, in June, their first United Rugby Championship title since 2015 after beating Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Smith, 52, who hails from the farming town Lichtenburg in the North West Province and won two Currie Cup titles with the Cheetahs, has been spoken about as a possible replacement for Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus in the future.

Rugbypass also reported that Tigers legend Graham Rowntree, who has been out of work since leaving Munster last October, has been interviewed by his former club.

Another possible alternative would be Richard Wigglesworth, who ended his long playing career with the Tigers and stepped into the head coach role when the RFU recruited Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield.

Even though he followed them to Twickenham as an attack coach, he is known to have a close working relationship with Tigers general manager Richard Wilks if a move for Smith becomes too problematic.

*Additional Source: Rugbypass