Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson agrees to pay cut to stay with the cash-strapped club…amid financial problems which led to the departure of director of cricket Darren Gough

Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson has agreed to take a pay cut to stay with the club this season due to the financial problems that have led to the departure of director of cricket Darren Gough. 

The former England fast bowler was the highest paid cricket director in the country, but has stepped aside following a financial review instigated by Yorkshire’s new chairman Colin Graves.

Yorkshire are aiming to save £1million this summer after recording losses of almost £4m last year in the aftermath of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, which has led to the positions of numerous senior staff being placed under scrutiny. 

Mail Sport has learned however that Gibson has willingly agreed to take a pay cut in order to see out the final season of his three-year contract this summer, when he will aim to lead Yorkshire back to Division One of the County Championship. The former England bowling coach will be supported by a back-room team of Tom Smith, Kabir Ali and Ali Maiden.

Graves put £1m of his own money into the club to cover Yorkshire’s running costs this season since returning as chairman last month and pledged to raise £4m more, but significant cost-cutting is still needed nevertheless. Gough’s £250,000 salary was deemed to be unjustifiable in the circumstances and his departure was announced this morning.

Yorkshire’s new chairman Colin Graves instigated a financial review that led to the departure of Gough

Gough returned to Headinley with the club in dire straits in December 2021 after Lord Kamlesh Patel was appointed chairman in the midst of the racism crisis.

‘It’s been an absolute honour to work for my boyhood club over the last two seasons,’ Gough said. ‘Having stepped in at a very challenging time, we’ve worked hard to steady the ship and develop our cricket department to ensure we can return to the top tier of English cricket.

‘Following conversations with the club, I have decided now is the right time to step away from my role and give someone else an opportunity to take our playing squads forward. 

‘I’d like to thank all of our players, staff, members and fans for their considerable support over the last few seasons and wish them all the very best for the coming year.’

Yorkshire declined to comment on Gibson’s salary.