Loffreda pays the penalty
Leicester have sacked head coach Marcelo Loffreda after just one season in charge.
The former Argentina coach was only appointed in April last year but, despite leading the Tigers to the Guinness Premiership final at the end of last month, the club finished the season without a trophy.
"We have taken this course of action in the best interests of the club," said chairman Peter Tom. "We felt that this had to be done now to allow everyone to prepare fully to meet the challenges of the new season."
He added: "On behalf of the club, the board would like to wish Marcelo and his family well for the future.
"No decision has been made on a new appointment, but we expect to have a new rugby structure in place ready for the players' return to pre-season training."
