Middlesex have parted ways with first-team coach Richard Johnson after a tough start to their County Championship and T20 Blast campaigns. With only two wins from seven matches in the Championship, the team currently sits sixth in Division Two. Their performance in the Vitality T20 Blast has also been underwhelming, with only one victory in six outings.
A former Middlesex stalwart, Johnson played over 200 matches for the club. He returned as an assistant coach in 2009 and took charge as head coach in 2022, following a stint at Surrey. Although he initially led Middlesex back to Division One, they were relegated again in 2023. Last season, narrowly missing a promotion, they were edged out by Sussex and Yorkshire.
In white-ball cricket, Johnson’s reign saw limited success, as the team failed to reach the knockout stages in the T20 Blast and the One-Day Cup. His tenure coincided with off-field challenges, including financial issues that placed Middlesex under special measures, and a legal dispute with former chief executive Richard Goatley. They opted not to sign an overseas player in 2023 but began this season with hope, bringing in Kane Williamson, Dane Paterson, and Josh Little.
Alan Coleman, Middlesex’s director of cricket, acknowledged Johnson’s contributions: “Jono has put his heart and soul into the role since he returned to the club in 2022, and we thank him for all his hard work during his time as first-team coach.” Coleman added, “Cricket is a performance business, and we do not feel that the results this season have matched the expectations we have for the team.”
Coleman also recognised Johnson’s efforts in steering the team through difficult times: “Jono is due a lot of credit for leading the team through the most difficult off-field period we have had and has embraced the challenge of working within the financial constraints.”
Despite the challenges, Johnson’s legacy at Middlesex is appreciated: “Jono is a modern Middlesex cricketing great and has served the club exceptionally well during his time as a player, assistant coach and first-team coach. We thank him for all that he has done for the club over many years.”
