Rugby: Leinster coach Michael Cheika has signed a three-year deal to become director of rugby at Stade Francais, the French club confirmed today. The Australian will join the Parisian outfit at the end of the season, bringing to an end his five-year stint with European champions Leinster.
Leinster had known for some time that Cheika would not be remaining in Dublin and have already secured the Clermont Auvergne assistant coach Joe Schmidt on a three-year deal.
Cheika has been at Leinster since May 2005 and led them to their first Heineken Cup success last year as well as the Magners League the previous season. The Australian, a fluent French speaker, replaces Jacques Delmas at the helm of the Top 14 club. He has links with the French capital having played with CASG Paris in the early 1990s.
Colourful Stade president Max Guazzini claimed that, rather than chasing the Leinster coach, Cheika was the catalyst for the move.
"In fact, it was a little more like him who contacted us. He was available because he was calling it a day at Leinster after five years," Guazzini told AFP. "He is reigning European champion," Guazzini added. "Cheika speaks French fluently, even better than (former coach and South African) Nick Mallett. He has a project over several years and a real natural authority."
While disappointed to see the 43-year-old go, Leinster chief executive Michael Dawson was fulsome in his praise of Cheika in the wake of today’s news.
"Michael has always been up front with his future plans which enabled us to make a smooth transition for next season and we thank him for that,” Dawson said.
“We have no doubt that Stade Français will benefit from his man management and motivational skills, not to mention his coaching prowess, which has overseen the province's success in securing the Magners League and Heineken Cup titles over successive years.
"Michael has instilled a culture of consistency, discipline and honesty and I have no doubt that he will bring these key principles to his new role. The focus for the squad now is on meeting the upcoming challenges over the next two and a half months head on and I know how determined he is to finish his five year spell with Leinster on a high.”
Brian O’Driscoll also hailed the Australian’s impact with the province.
“I wish him the best provided we never meet Stade in Europe,” said O’Driscoll. “He has a great work ethic and passion for the game. He’s done wonders for us as a province in giving us a great structure. I’m sure his new life in Paris will suit him down to the ground.”