MIKE Watkinson has been appointed as Lancashire’s new director of cricket, moving from his role as cricket manager with immediate effect.

It is a move that has been expected for the last week, and it was rubber stamped at a committee meeting yesterday.

Old Trafford bosses will now begin a search for a first team coach, planning to appoint somebody as soon as possible.

Watkinson, who will be in charge of everything from grass roots cricket to the first team squad, said: “I see this as a positive move for the club to give the team of players the resources that they need to perform to their best.

“It’s a good opportunity for me to spread my involvement through different areas of cricket within the club and the county.

“It doesn’t mean I will be trading the tracksuit for a business suit, as I will still be coaching and continuing to do many of the things I’ve done before, but on a more occasional basis.

“This includes providing as much support as I can to the new first team coach, and the professional set-up as a whole.”

Watkinson, who had been in the post of cricket manager since 2002, also admitted he fully endorsed the plans because the demands on his job had “increased considerably over the last 12-18 months”.

Chairman Michael Cairns revealed the club’s structure had been modernised over the last year, and the cricket department needed to be brought up to speed.

The search for a new first team coach will begin immediately, with an appointment expected soon due to the fact pre-season training has already begun.

Captain Glen Chapple has admitted he would prefer the new coach to be somebody with ties to the Red Rose county.

But the 34-year-old insists that should only be secondary to the person being the right man for the job.

“I would, yes, if it is the right man for the job,” said Chapple when asked his views on whether he preferred the new man to be linked with Lancashire. “But the most important thing is that we get the right man for the job.

“If he is from Lancashire, then great, but the most important thing is that we are successful on the field.”

Watkinson and Chapple both expect the job to be advertised.

Lancashire will come up against Essex, Sussex and a Fly Emirates invitational team when they compete in the pre-season Pro ARCH Trophy in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah next March.