John Sadler has been named as Northamptonshire’s new Head Coach and will take the reins at the end of the season.
Chris Liddle will continue as the Club’s Bowling Lead while also moving into the role of Assistant Coach.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be stepping into the top job” Sadler said.
“I feel the club is in a really good place and ready to kick on even further.
We’ve got a very exciting group of cricketers and some great people around so it’s an exciting opportunity to take on.”
Sadler succeeds David Ripley, arguably the Club’s most successful Head Coach, who stepped down earlier this month after a decade in the role.
“Rips is obviously a very, very well respected man and coach and he’s been around a long time. He’s a real stalwart of the club in a lot of positions and the success he’s had, the group of players he’s assembled, he’s left the club in a good place and I’m looking forward to taking it on.
“I’ve got massive boots to fill but if I’ve got half the longevity and half the success he had then I’ll be delighted.”
Sadler joined the Northamptonshire coaching staff alongside Liddle ahead of the 2020 season and boasts nine years of professional coaching experience. Having completed his Masters of Sports Directorship last year, Sadler was looking forward to building on the progress the pair had already achieved alongside Ripley.
“I’m sure things will be slightly different with a different voice and different ideas but ultimately there’s been some brilliant things going on here so it’s about adding to those things not necessarily changing too much.”
Northamptonshire Chief Executive Ray Payne said there was little debate that Sadler was the right man for the job.
“When we brought John on board at the end of 2019 there was always a feeling that he was someone we wanted to keep around long term.” Payne said.
“He’s been an excellent addition to the Club and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do as our Head Coach.”