Richard Cockerill's future as Leicester director of rugby is 'hanging by a thread' following his side's humiliating 38-0 European Champions Cup defeat by Munster on Saturday.

The former Leicester and England hooker, who took up the post in 2010 after spells as the forwards coach, met chairman Peter Tom last month and was given until Christmas to turn the club's fortunes around following a lacklustre start to the campaign.

A run of victories following a humiliating 42-13 defeat by Glasgow in October looked to have eased the pressure on Cockerill, but the loss at Munster has left the Tigers with a tough task to qualify for the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Richard Cockerill's future as Leicester Tigers' director of rugby is 'hanging by a thread'

Leicester suffered a record defeat as Munster maintained their winning start on Saturday

One source insists Cockerill will go 'within 48 hours', although Sportsmail understands he could be given one more game — at home to Munster on Saturday.

Another heavy defeat by the Irish province would confirm his departure, with Leicester's board believed to be exasperated by the manner of the two heavy Champions Cup defeats.

The relationship between Cockerill and Kiwi head coach Aaron Mauger is understood to have broken down, with one source describing Leicester's coaching culture as 'toxic' and the decision to sack Kiwi defence coach Scott Hansen midway through the season has not improved the situation.

Northampton's coaching duo Jim Mallinder (left) and Dorian West are under pressure

Despite Leicester lying fourth in the Premiership, there is a belief that Cockerill has taken the club as far as he can. One well-placed source said: 'Cockers has been a fantastic servant for Leicester but the capitulation in Munster has left him hanging on by a thread.'

Northampton's coaching duo Jim Mallinder and Dorian West are also under pressure.

Their futures are thought to be dependent on the outcome of the Premier Rugby concussion review group's investigation into the handling of George North's head injury against Leicester a fortnight ago.