Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has signed a three-year contract extension with the Tigers

JUST months after leading Richmond to a drought-breaking premiership, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has signed a new deal to keep him at the club until 2021.

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has earned a new deal with the Tigers.

The Tigers announced on Tuesday that Hardwick, who led his club to a drought-breaking premiership last year, had been handed a three-year contract extension.

That means the 45-year-old will remain in charge of Richmond until the end of 2021.

MORE EXPERT TIPS: THE PHANTOM’S MIDFIELD FAVOURITES

STRATEGY: HOW MANY SUPERCOACH SUPERSTARS IS TOO MANY?

PRE-SEASON FORM: ULTIMATE JLT SUPERCOACH SCOUTING REPORT

Chief executive Brendon Gale made the announcement in front of the playing list, with Hardwick receiving a raucous reception from his players who swarmed on their coach after the news.

Hardwick took charge of the Tigers in 2010 but entered 2017 under enormous pressure after failing to make the finals the previous season.

But his side’s stunning resurgence capped an amazing turnaround and confirmed the coach’s place in Tigers history.

Big news out of Tigerland today...

✍️📰 - https://t.co/Uu70wXyJwr pic.twitter.com/o9n1dTJ5lb

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) March 6, 2018

“Four finals series in five years culminating in a drought-breaking premiership was massive for the club,” Gale told players.

“Huge credit to him, huge credit to the coaching department, the football department, huge credit for the extent to which he’s invested and committed to you guys ... so on that basis, no surprise we’re going to extend his contract for three years, out at 2021.”