Cockerill has won back-to-back Premiership titles

Richard Cockerill has signed a new contract at Leicester Tigers.

Cockerill, who has guided the club to the Premiership title in the past two seasons, will also change his title from head coach to director of rugby.

Matt O'Connor has also signed a new deal and switches from backs coach to head coach but the title change makes little difference to Cockerill's role.

"This is one of those special jobs in sport and I feel privileged to be in this position," Cockerill said.

"Matt and the other coaches and the support staff have been fantastic in my time here and the players deserve great credit for putting in the work in training and then into action on matchdays when it really counts.

Cockers is Tigers through and through, he knows what makes this such a special place Tigers chairman Peter Tom

"This club has always been very important to me and I'm very passionate about wanting success for Leicester Tigers."

The club have not disclosed the length of the new contract.

Cockerill made 262 first-team appearances in two spells with Tigers and won 27 caps for England before joining the club's coaching staff.

He became head coach after Heyneke Meyer left in 2009, while former Australia international centre O'Connor arrived at Welford Road in the summer of 2008.

Tigers won the Premiership title and were Heineken Cup finalists in 2008/09 and they retained their league crown title last season.

O'Connor said: "Leicester Tigers stands right at the top of world rugby in terms of reputation and I've thoroughly enjoyed working here with a great squad of players and I'm very excited about the future."

Tigers chairman Peter Tom added: "Cockers and Matt will be the first to thank the backroom staff and entire playing squad for what the club has achieved in the last couple of seasons, but they provide valuable leadership in their senior roles and drive the whole process.

"As everyone here knows, Cockers is Leicester Tigers through and through, he knows what makes this such a special place and he is driven to bring success to the club.

"But we have always been receptive to ideas from outside and the link with Matt since he arrived in Leicester has successfully continued that process.

"The expanded roles within these new contracts will allow them to plan the continued development of the playing side at the club."

Peter Wheeler also becomes executive director and will work closely with Cockerill and head of rugby operations Simon Cohen on all rugby and player-related matters.

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