Back and Key leaves Leicester for Leeds Carnegie
Neil Back has pulled out of the race to become the new Head Coach at Leicester Tigers and has instead accepted the same position at Leeds Carnegie. The former England flanker was in the running to be appointed to the top job at Welford Road but has instead decided to continue his coaching career in National Division One.
Andy Key has left the Tigers' academy and will join Back at Leeds in the role of Director of Rugby, succeeding Stuart Lancaster, who last season joined the RFU as their new Head of Elite Player Development.
And Back, who was awarded an MBE after playing a full part in England's 2003 World Cup victory, admitted it was a tough choice to rule himself out of the race to succeed Marcelo Loffreda at Leicester, especially after an 18-year playing career at the club.
"I have had some fantastic times at Leicester and it was a big decision to take myself out of the application process for the Director of Rugby position at the Tigers and end my long association with the club," said Back, 39.
"However, I am excited about coming to Leeds Carnegie and joining the fight to regain our place in the Guinness Premiership.
"Having spoken with Stuart Lancaster, I am aware of the massive challenge that faces us next season; every team will want to beat Leeds and plenty will believe that this is their year to try to gain promotion."
And Chief Executive Gary Hetherington was clear in stating the target for Back and Key was to secure promotion back to the Guinness Premiership at the first attempt.
"We are delighted that Andy and Neil have agreed to join the club. It is the first time we have recruited our Director of Rugby from outside of the club since Phil Davies was appointed in 1996," explained Hetherington.
"Over the past 12 years, the club has changed remarkably and now the challenge for Andy and Neil is to take us forward to the next level.
"The first immediate aim is to return to the Guinness Premiership next season and both coaches will take charge of pre-season training on Monday to begin preparations for our National Division One campaign."
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