Marcelo Loffreda, the current Argentina national coach, will arrive at Welford Road after this year's World Cup in October. The 47-year-old will succeed Pat Howard, who is returning to Australia in the summer. | "Leicester is a club with a wonderful history and has supporters who are passionate about their club. " | | Marcelo Loffreda, New Leicester Tigers Head Coach |
Loffreda has been linked with the Tigers post for several months, and was an overwhelming favourite for arguably English club rugby's top job. And he could inherit a Leicester side at the peak of its powers. Tigers have already won the EDF Energy Cup this season, while they meet Wasps in next month's Heineken Cup final and are also contesting the Guinness Premiership title. Loffreda on TigersLoffreda was a guest of the club at Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Llanelli Scarlets, having first been linked with Tigers last autumn. Loffreda said: "The name of Leicester Tigers is renowned throughout the rugby world. "To be invited to join this great club as head coach was an honour not only for me, but also for the people who love rugby in Argentina.  | | Howard leaving at the end of the season |
"Leicester is a club with a wonderful history and has supporters who are passionate about their club. I know there is also a squad of players with a hunger and drive to be the best. "There are some exiting times ahead for us all at Tigers." Loffreda will inherit a Leicester squad that includes Argentine internationals Marcos Ayerza and Alex Moreno, while New Zealand centre Aaron Mauger has already been confirmed as a post-World Cup arrival in the midlands. Forwards coach Richard Cockerill will take charge of team affairs, assisted by the rest of the Tigers coaching team, until Loffreda's arrival. | 
