Mauger trauma at Leicester sacking
AARON MAUGER was devastated by his sacking as head coach of Leicester Tigers — turfed out the morning after securing the club’s first trophy for four years. The New Zealander, handed a fire-fighting job after Richard Cockerill was sacked in January, won the Anglo-Welsh Cup against Exeter Chiefs on Sunday but was dismissed on Monday morning. Leicester’s last silverware was the Premiership title in 2013. The former All Black centre, 36, could have left the East Midlands immediately but was determined to lead the Tigers one last time this weekend in what will be an emotional derby at Northampton Saints. Yesterday he asked to speak to the media, making it crystal clear this was by no means a mutual decision. ‘I am clearly disappointed and devastated,’ he said. ‘I wanted to stay and see it through. Where the group are at the moment is pretty exciting. There’s a real positive energy, reflected by some really good performances. Unfortunately that was not enough.’ After Mauger was informed of the board’s decision he described the conversation as ‘brief’ and when asked if he felt let down, he had to pause, bite his lip and simply say: ‘I am disappointed I am not going to be here for the rest of the season.’ High profile hammerings — 34-3 against Racing, 43-0 versus Glasgow and 34-15 to Exeter — clearly stuck in the board’s mind. The Tigers players were told of this second major departure in only three months on Monday afternoon. Some used Twitter to voice their displeasure. Telusa Veainu wrote: ‘With 5 games to go, really?? We don’t know how good we’ve got it! #biggerpicture #gutted’ Leicester have brought back Australian Matt O’Connor in Mauger’s place. He coached the team between 2008 and 2013, when the Tigers won three Premiership titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He joins in the first week of April, subject to gaining a work visa.