Matt Everard Departs as Leicester Tigers Defense Coach: What’s Next for the Club?

In a significant development for Leicester Tigers, Matt Everard has been stood down as the club's defense coach. This decision comes amidst a season that has seen the Tigers experience both highs and lows in domestic and European competitions.

Matt Everard, a former Leicester Tigers academy player, returned to the club in October 2022 after the financial collapse of his previous team, Wasps. He initially took on the role of senior academy coach before being promoted to defense coach under then-head coach Dan McKellar for the 2023-24 season. Despite McKellar's departure last summer, Everard continued in his role under new head coach Michael Cheika.

However, the past season has been a turbulent one for the Tigers. While they have achieved a respectable fourth place in the Premiership and advanced to the last 16 of the European Champions Cup, they have also endured some heavy defeats. Notable among these was an 80-12 loss to Toulouse, marking their heaviest defeat in European competition, and a 54-24 setback against Bristol Bears, which set a record for the most points conceded at home in a Premiership game.

As the club looks to the future, it remains uncertain who will take over the defense coaching role. With Michael Cheika also set to leave at the end of the season, Leicester Tigers are in a period of transition, searching for new leadership to guide them through the challenges ahead.