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Karl Krikken leaves Derbyshire

Derbyshire head coach Karl Krikken has left the club after 27 years at the county. In the wake of Derbyshire's relegation in the County Championship Krikken was required to reapply for his job

Karl Krikken leaves Derbyshire after 27 years  •  Getty Images

Karl Krikken leaves Derbyshire after 27 years  •  Getty Images

Derbyshire head coach Karl Krikken has left the club after 27 years at the county.
In the wake of Derbyshire's relegation in the County Championship, Krikken was required to reapply for his job, along with other members of the coaching staff, in a new cricket management structure.
But Krikken has decided to seek other opportunities and will not be part of the elite cricket performance model that was launched by Derbyshire following a review of cricket operations by the club's supervisory board.
It brings to an end Krikken's relationship with Derbyshire which began in 1987. He scored over 7,000 runs, took 800 dismissals as wicketkeeper and helped the county win the Sunday League in 1990 and Benson and Hedges Cup in 1993.
Following his retirement in 2003, Krikken became Derbyshire's inaugural Academy coach and greatly improved the number of home-grown players in the first XI. He was promoted to head coach mid-way through the 2011 season and a year later oversaw a wholly unexpected promotion in the County Championship.
"I would like to thank the off-field staff, groundsmen, coaches, players and members for all their help and support during my time at Derbyshire," Krikken said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club, firstly as a player and then as a coach.
"As a player I was lucky enough to play with some magnificent cricketers that brought success to the county, winning a couple of one day cups.
"In the last couple of years during my tenure as head coach, I have been immensely proud to lead a team of great lads to the first trophy for Derbyshire in 19 years and last year to our highest Championship finish since 1996."
Chairman Chris Grant added: "It's sad that Karl's time at the club has come to an end and we thank him for his contribution to drafting the new elite player pathway, we respect his decision to seek opportunities elsewhere and we wish him all the very best for the future.
"Karl was a stalwart for our club as a wicketkeeper, his contribution as the first director of our academy was critical to our future and who can forget the glory of promotion, as Division Two champions, under his stewardship in 2012.
"Our recruitment process will now continue and we are confident that the new elite performance structure will enhance our chances of success in the years to come across all three domestic competitions."