Alex Gidman: Worcestershire head coach to leave New Road with immediate effect

Gidman, 41, guided the club to successive T20 Blast finals, winning the competition in 2018.

"I have enjoyed my time at Worcestershire and thank the club for all their support," said Gidman.

The Worcestershire board thanked Gidman for "all his hard work over the past four years" and "wished him every success in the future".

President Fanos Hira added: "Alex led the club to great success, winning the T20 Blast in 2018 and runner up in 2019.

"We wish him well in the next steps of his career and thank him for his contribution at our club."

< p class="" data-reactid=".1sisjnluqbg.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8">Gidman's association with the Pears began when he signed from the Gloucestershire in September 2014 on a two-year contract. But he was forced to retire 18 months later due to a finger injury.

After returning to coaching two years later, following the departure of Steve Rhodes, he took over from Kevin Sharp, having orchestrated the success of the T20 Blast in 2018.

The club nearly made history the following year, narrowly failing to become the first team to successfully defend the title, when they lost against Essex.

In the County Championship, the Pears were unable to win back the First Division under Gidman after their relegation from the top flight in 2018.

They finished fourth in the Division 2 this season, 31 points behind Middlesex, who took second place in promotion.

Gidman's departure follows those of all-rounders Ed Barnard and Moeen Ali, who both join local rivals Warwickshire for 2023 .

Worcestershire announced in July that they were planning a structural change, with the club looking to sign a manager of cricket for a far-reaching new role which will be "responsible for all coaching staff, cricketing operations, science and medicine and the academy".