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On This Day in 2008: Leicester Tigers sack head coach Marcelo Loffreda
By PA
On this day in 2008, Leicester Tigers sacked head coach Marcelo Loffreda after only one season in charge.
Here, the PA news agency looks back on his time at Welford Road.
Delayed start
Loffreda led Argentina to the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa in 2007 which meant he missed the first three months of the season. It had already been announced, in April, he would join the Tigers after the tournament but did not arrive at Welford Road until the November. “Everything is a mess when you get back to a place and have to settle in again,” he said later.
Season
The season was a disappointment by the club’s standards as Leicester failed to defend their title. They were also knocked out in the Heineken Cup group stages and were beaten by the Ospreys in the final of the EDF Energy Cup. They finished fourth in the Premiership, winning 13 of their 22 games, coming ahead of Sale by just a point. The Tigers reached the play-off final, only to lose 26-16 to Wasps.
Sacking
Loffreda was sacked by Leicester in June, less than eight months after arriving at Welford Road. He lost nine of his 22 league games and was replaced by Tigers coach Heyneke Meyer, who quit for personal reasons in January 2009. “I was disappointed, because I didn’t have enough time to learn and adjust. Leicester have very high expectations and are always in a rush to win trophies,” Loffreda said after his sacking.
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Latest Comments
He doesn't generally do it at all, for anybody, so don't say too much the next one could be just as positive about the Springboks if you don't get carried away!
He also pointed out the "no killer instinct" narrative that they simply weren't good enough. Do yo disagree that SA were that great against NZ?
Readying the article I didn't even see that as a dig towards SA SF, simply an exciting take on how close the ABs really are again to those at the top. I feel it is more you that is taking away from this enjoyment with you replay that is largely based on a lot of old resentment.
Just enjoy how good the rugby is and that NZ is back baby!
Go to commentsAttack coach? What "attack"? All I saw was headless chooks pinballing around the paddock. This whole coaching group needs a shake-down. The BFs have regressed at pace since the Prof & Cronnie days.
We have immense talent, some of the best in world rugby, but it's wasted on this coaching group. I put Bunting in the same loser category as Penney & Foster. At this point in time, success at RWC2025 seems a longshot!?!
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