Lancashire appoint former England spinner Ashley Giles as new head coach
Wednesday 8 October 2014 07:07, UK
Lancashire have appointed former England spinner Ashley Giles as their new cricket director and head coach.
Giles, who has been out of work since leaving his post as head coach of England's limited-overs squads in April following the appointment of Peter Moores, replaces Mike Watkinson at Old Trafford.
Watkinson ended 32 years at Lancashire as a player, captain, coach and then cricket director on Monday after they were relegated to Division Two on the final day of the season after just one year in the top flight.
Giles has enjoyed a successful career as a coach since retiring as a player, leading Warwickshire to the Division Two title in 2008, the Pro 40 Division Two title in 2009, the Clydesdale Bank 40 Cup in 2010 before steering them to the County Championship Division One crown in September 2012.
Lancashire chairman Michael Cairns OBE, said: "Ashley Giles is a highly respected and regarded coach with a track record of success in the county game and has a tremendous amount of international experience garnered through a playing and coaching career.
"He is an exceptional candidate for a county like Lancashire and we are delighted to have secured his services."
Giles added: "Lancashire is a massive club with a rich pedigree and history, and I am thrilled by the prospect of coaching them.
"Emirates Old Trafford is a stunning international venue with excellent facilities and I cannot wait to work with the players and staff.
"It is our intention to return to Division One but our main aim is create something both successful and sustainable, which a club with such an incredible history deserves."
