Gatting leaves Middlesex after 23 years

Middlesex will not renew the contract of Mike Gatting, their director of coaching, at the end of the season, the county announced yesterday. His No 2, Ian Gould, is also to leave

Middlesex will not renew the contract of Mike Gatting, their director of coaching, at the end of the season, the county announced yesterday. His No 2, Ian Gould, is also to leave

"I think results speak for themselves," the club secretary Vinnie Coddrington said. "I think when Mike was in here this morning he was very understanding. I expect he'll pursue outside business interests now."

Gatting, 43, has held the job for two years. Last season Middlesex finished second from bottom in the County Championship's Second Division, and this year they are last.

"Naturally I am very disappointed," he said yesterday, "but at this stage I want to say no more than that."

Gatting, the former England captain, who became director of coaching after his playing career with the club ended, has been with Middlesex for 23 years.

The county is to advertise for two replacements, and are likely to appoint a first-team coach from abroad to work alongside a new director of coaching. John Emburey, another former Middlesex stalwart, who also played with Gatting for England, is likely to be among the front-runners for the director's job.

Gatting and Gould - who played in 18 one-day internationals for England - have been associated with the county since the early 1970s. They both made their county debuts in 1975, and were awarded their county caps in 1977. Gould, who is also 43, left for Sussex in 1980 then returned to Middlesex 11 years later to join the coaching staff.

Gatting was the Middlesex captain for 14 years, leading them to three County Championships, two NatWest Trophies, two Benson and Hedges Cups and a Sunday League title. He played in 79 Tests for England, 23 as captain. When he retired in 1998, he was immediately made an England selector. In recent years, though, young players have failed to fulfil their potential at Middlesex under the Gatting/Gould partnership.