By Matt Somerford
Lancashire have appointed Ashley Giles as their new head coach and cricket director.
The Red Rose have moved quickly to confirm the arrival of the former England limited-overs coach following their relegation in the LV= County Championship less than a fortnight ago.
Giles will take over the dual roles immediately and begin a winter of preparation.
"Lancashire is a massive club with a rich pedigree and history, and I am thrilled by the prospect of coaching them,” he said.
"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."
Lancashire have bounced straight back into the top flight on the two previous occasions they have been relegated and Giles, who led Warwickshire to the 2012 Division One title, will be primarily tasked with doing that again.
The 41-year-old, who played 54 Tests for England and coached them to the Champions Trophy final last summer, is due to front a press conference at lunchtime today at Emirates Old Trafford.
Lancashire’s relegation came after they were left without a full-time coach following Peter Moores’ early-season promotion to England Head Coach.
Veteran all-rounder Glen Chapple filled the role as a player-coach, although Lancashire had indicated after relegation that they were unlikely to split the role again next season.
Giles will, however, also take on the cricket director role previously undertaken by Mike Watkinson, whose three-decade association with the club was ended earlier this week.
The appointment is Giles’ first since he left his role as with England following their group-stage exit from the World Twenty20 in March.
The former left-arm spinner was then overlooked for the England Head Coach’s role in favour of Moores, but arrives at Old Trafford as his full-time replacement with a proven record in domestic cricket.
In addition to winning the championship with Warwickshire - coincidentally after being denied by Lancashire on the final day of the previous season - Giles also led the Bears to the Division Two title in 2008 as well as the Clydesdale Bank 40 title in 2010.
"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,” Lancashire chairman Michael Cairns OBE said.
“He is an exceptional candidate for a county like Lancashire and we are delighted to have secured his services."