Geoff Parling appointed Leicester Tigers boss, to take charge of Gallagher Premiership club after British & Irish Lions tour to Australia
Updated 12/05/2025 at 16:36 GMT+1
Leicester Tigers have appointed their successor to head coach Michael Cheika, who leaves his role at the end of the season. Former England lock Geoff Parling will lead the Midlands club into the 2025/26 campaign, returning to the Gallagher Premiership club after six years as a player. "I am extremely proud to be coming back to lead the club," Parling said.
Highlights: Game of the season? Leicester beat play-off rivals Sale in thriller
Video credit: TNT Sports
Geoff Parling will take over as Leicester Tigers' head coach, following the exit of Michael Cheika this summer.
The club announced in January that Cheika would step down from his role at the end of the season, upon the expiry of his contract after just a year in charge.
Former England lock Parling will seize control of the Gallagher Premiership side in August, returning to the club after a six-year playing spell from 2009-2015. He has signed a "long-term deal," according to a statement issued on Monday.
Parling, now an assistant coach for Australia's national team, spent a period as the Wallabies' forwards coach in 2020. He rejoined the coaching setup under Joe Schmidt last year and will continue in his current role for the British & Irish Lions Series before moving to Leicester, where he won two Premiership titles as a player.
"I was lucky enough have some incredible moments in the Leicester Tigers jersey, made through hard work by good people, and so I am extremely proud to be coming back to lead the club," Parling said.
"There are not many opportunities that would make myself and my family think about leaving Australia, the place we’ve called home for the past seven years, but coming back to Leicester Tigers is one that we are really looking forward to.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/10/image-b91045f6-4767-4aad-ba48-c33b48619c93-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Game of the season? Leicester beat play-off rivals Sale in thriller
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I know the club is looking for stability, and I will be focused on building an environment with strong foundations, where people can see both what is needed and what it means to be a Tiger."
In a statement issued by the Wallabies, Parling said there is "still plenty of work to do," adding he is "very much focused on the immediate challenges ahead".
"I have felt incredibly privileged to work with a number of great people in my time here and would especially like to thank Joe for the environment he has created at the Wallabies," Parling said.
- O'Driscoll says Ford 'unfortunate' to miss out on Lions squad
- Quins fly-half Smith says Lions selection is ‘dream come true'
"My family and I originally came to Australia for seven months and will now be leaving after seven years, proud to call ourselves Australian citizens, and lucky to have lived in such a great community. I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard with our great staff and leaving Australia on a positive note."
Parling made over 300 appearances in his playing career, including 29 Test caps for England. He also represented the British & Irish Lions in 2013. He amassed nearly 100 appearances for Tigers, while also having stints with Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs.
Following his retirement with Melbourne Roses in 2018, Parling continued in a coaching position with the club. He combined that role with being the Wallabies' forwards coach for the 2020 Test season, and went full-time in the Australian set-up in April last year.
Tigers chair Tom Scott said: "It was vital for us, from the outset, to find the right person to lead the club long in the future and after a rigorous process, we are confident Geoff is the right person.
"He is a high calibre coach, strong leader, and understands this club. He achieved success here as a player and we believe he will as a coach.
"Geoff has made great strides in his coaching career over the past eight years, and we are excited that we will be a part of his next chapter, one that will last long into the future, at Leicester Tigers."
Tigers' thrilling 44-34 victory over Sale Sharks on Friday extended their winning run to three matches. Cheika's side are second in the Premiership table, 10 points behind runaway leaders Bath.
Australia will now begin the process of appointing a new assistant coach.
Watch and stream the Gallagher Premiership on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement