Paul Farbrace has been appointed as Lancashire's new director of cricket, departing Sussex weeks before he was scheduled to begin a new role at Hove. Farbrace, 59, was due to transition from head coach to a part-time director of cricket at Sussex from November, a move confirmed in July.
He now takes over from Mark Chilton, who left the Old Trafford post last month after five years. Lancashire concluded the season in seventh place in Division Two of the County Championship, marking the club's lowest historical position.
Farbrace had guided Sussex to third place in Division One, despite the team starting the season with a 12-point penalty due to financial issues. He had announced in April that he would step down as head coach at the end of the 2026 season, later agreeing to stay in a part-time director of cricket capacity.
Expressing his feelings, Farbrace told Sussex's website: "It is with mixed emotions that I am leaving Sussex after four years." He added, "I will always be grateful to Sussex for giving me the honour of being head coach and allowing me to work with a fabulous group of players and staff."