LONDON - Marcelo Loffreda has criticised the lack of time he was given as coach of Leicester, who sacked the Argentine after he'd been in the job for barely eight months at the end of last season.

Loffreda, 48, had guided Argentina to their best World Cup placing of third, at last year's tournament in France, when he arrived at Welford Road with no previous experience of professional rugby and took over at one of England's most successful clubs with the season already underway.

However, the Tigers failed to win a trophy during Loffreda's time in charge, although they did reach the English Premiership play-off final.

But that followed the disappointment of the former champions' first round exit from the European Cup and thir defeat in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final against the Ospreys.

"I don't want to fight with anyone there. I just think I should have been given more time," Loffreda told the BBC on Wednesday.

"I know the professional game is about winning trophies, especially for a big club like Leicester, but sometimes you need to be patient, you need to give someone time to adjust."

Loffreda, who is still in talks with the Tigers over a compensation package, said that were he to coach another club side again, he would bring in his own backroom staff.

During his time at Leicester there were reports of behind-the-scenes unrest and club chairman Peter Tom subsequently revealed that coaches and senior players had been consulted before officials decided to part with Loffreda.

"I would bring my own coaching team - that is something I have learned very, very strongly," Loffreda said. "It doesn't mean I'm going to bring Argentines, but I need to have people in my confidence.

"I have many friends in different countries - in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, France and England - and I would need to bring some of them."

Loffreda was replaced at Leicester by the South African Heyneke Meyer.

The Tigers are currently the unbeaten leaders of the Premiership after three straight wins.

AFP