Yorkshire has named former captain Anthony McGrath as their new head coach, signing him to a five-year contract. McGrath departs Essex after nine successful years, where he served as assistant coach, head coach, and most recently, director of cricket.
Returning to Headingley, where he spent his entire playing career, McGrath helped Yorkshire secure the County Championship title in 2001 and represented England in four Tests and 14 One-Day Internationals. He will succeed Ottis Gibson, who recently led Yorkshire back into County Championship Division One, and will officially start his new role on 1 November.
Yorkshire’s interim chief executive officer, Sanjay Patel, praised McGrath, noting his reputation for fostering exciting and successful teams. Patel highlighted McGrath's ability to nurture world-class talent and his dedication to developing youth.
McGrath, 49, is a former all-rounder who played 242 first-class matches for Yorkshire and captained the team between 2008 and 2009. As a middle-order batter, he was instrumental in Yorkshire’s 2001 County Championship win, ending a 33-year drought. After retiring in 2012, McGrath briefly worked as a coaching consultant for Yorkshire, but his tenure at Essex is what truly earned him widespread acclaim.
Reflecting on his return to Yorkshire, McGrath expressed his determination to build a team capable of achieving the success that the club’s passionate supporters deserve. He acknowledged the club's rich history and shared his excitement about leading them forward.
Before taking on his new role, McGrath spoke with BBC Essex about his journey at the club, which began in 2016 when he became assistant head coach under former Yorkshire teammate Chris Silverwood. Together, they led Essex to promotion from Division Two in 2016, followed by a Championship title in 2017, Essex’s first top-flight red-ball triumph in 25 years. When Silverwood departed to join England’s coaching staff, McGrath assumed the head coach role at Essex.
During his leadership, Essex consistently remained one of Division One's top teams, never finishing below fourth in regular Championship seasons. The pinnacle of McGrath's time at Essex came in 2019 when the team achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the Championship and the T20 Blast within a single week, becoming the first county to do so.
McGrath fondly recalled that 2019 season as an unforgettable achievement. Essex continued their success under his guidance, winning the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020, introduced during the pandemic-shortened season.
Although McGrath is leaving Essex, he remains confident the club will continue to thrive, led by captain Tom Westley. He remarked that the senior players are still performing well, and promising young talent has emerged. While he acknowledged the squad could benefit from added depth, McGrath pointed out that Essex’s high expectations and winning mentality will keep them competitive.
“Ten years ago, finishing fourth would have been a disappointment,” McGrath noted, reflecting on the club's progress. “Now, Essex expects to win trophies every year, and that’s the kind of club you want to be part of.”