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'It makes me feel horrific... we don't sleep, we worry' - rookie boss Geordan Murphy is feeling the strain
By Online Editors
Geordan Murphy has admitted to countless sleepless nights as Leicester try to find a solution to the crisis that had dragged them into the Premiership relegation battle.
The former Ireland and Lions full-back, who only took up the head coaching reins at the Tigers in September following the sacking of Matt O’Connor, would have felt Leicester had a strong enough squad to steer clear of the basement battle.
However, a recent run of just one win in five matches, combined with improved results for bottom team Newcastle and 11th place Worcester, have dragged Tigers far too close to the drop zone for comfort.
Just five points is all that separates them from Falcons and they face a massive test of their character in their next outing when they host leaders Exeter at Welford Road on April 6.
"It makes me feel horrific," said Murphy when he addressed local Leicester media at his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “It’s the toughest thing I have ever experienced in my life. It’s not pretty.
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"For someone like myself, and the other coaches in the room, we’re dedicating our lives to it. It isn't something we do on a Tuesday and Thursday and walk away from it.
“This is our lives so it affects our home lives, our family lives, our personal lives. We don't sleep. We worry. It’s a sport but it means so much to all the people involved. It is tough.
“We have been under pressure all season. We have not performed anywhere near as well as we could. It’s a tough one. We will mix training up this week and try a couple of different things try and take a little bit of pressure off the lads with relation to going out and playing.
"It's been a tough season but no excuses - we just have to keep on it,” continued the rookie Tigers boss whose latest setback was last Friday’s 15-29 home loss to Northampton.
“It's probably the worst period in Leicester Tigers history and to be in charge, having played knocking on 350 times for the club, is a tough one to take.
"It wasn't ever going to be easy. Hopefully I'll learn great things from it and I just want to keep fighting and doing the right things.”
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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