SLC to hire foreign coach after Sanath Jayasuriya
With Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya expected to step down from his position, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has begun discussions with several foreign candidates to fill the impending vacancy. SLC confirmed that formal negotiations are currently underway and that an official announcement will be made once the process is completed.
“We have been negotiating with a few foreign coaches,” confirmed SLC Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva.
“We cannot reveal their identities at this stage, but as soon as discussions are finalised, we will make a public announcement.”
Sri Lanka’s next assignment is a limited over series against Afghanistan in UAE in mid-March and de Silva said if all goes well, they will have a new coach before the series. De Silva further confirmed that Jayasuriya’s successor will be a foreign appointment, signalling a continuation of Sri Lanka Cricket’s earlier preference for overseas coaching expertise.
Over the past six years, Sri Lanka have relied largely on foreign coaches, yet none have managed to deliver sustained success or leave a lasting imprint on the national side. Jayasuriya’s resignation, meanwhile, had long appeared likely.
However, following Sri Lanka’s final World Cup game yesterday, Sanath Jayasuriya confirmed that he has decided to step down as Sri Lanka’s Head Coach, but will discuss the matter with Sri Lanka Cricket officials shortly.
“Overall, I am happy with what I have done during my tenure. I will discuss this with Sri Lanka Cricket shortly, as I am yet to inform them officially,” Jayasuriya responded when asked whether he was stepping down.
Speaking to the Sunday Times in early January, Jayasuriya had already indicated his intention to step down after the World Cup, regardless of the outcome. However, the circumstances surrounding his exit might have been very different had Sri Lanka progressed to the semi-finals. Following the team’s five-run defeat to Pakistan last night, Jayasuriya confirmed his decision to step aside despite his contract running until June 30, 2026.
“I am very sad we couldn’t reach a semi-final. It was within our grasp and I must say sorry to all Sri Lankans for not doing our best to reach the semis,” he said.
“I was hoping to finish on a high at the World Cup, but it didn’t happen. As I said earlier, this is my last game even though my contract runs until June.”
Although co-hosts Sri Lanka succeeded in qualifying for the Super Eight stage, briefly reviving the hopes of home supporters, what followed proved deeply disappointing. A succession of fragile and uninspired batting displays exposed persistent structural weaknesses within the side and ultimately led to their elimination from the tournament.
Questionable tactical decisions and a failure to adapt effectively to changing match situations proved costly during the Super Eight phase. Sri Lanka suffered subdued defeats against England and New Zealand in their opening matches, performances that effectively derailed their campaign. Inconsistent team selections and an underperforming middle order further compounded the team’s struggles and highlighted issues that had lingered throughout Jayasuriya’s tenure.
Jayasuriya’s coaching association with the national team began in December 2023 when he was appointed as a cricket consultant during a transitional period for Sri Lanka Cricket. His influence gradually expanded, culminating in his formal appointment as Head Coach in October 2024, a role that carried significant expectations given his stature as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest
cricketers.
During his tenure, Sri Lanka played 75 international matches (excluding last night’s game against Pakistan) across all formats, securing 34 victories and finishing with an overall win percentage of 45.33. The record included four wins in 11 Test matches, 14 victories from 25 One Day Internationals, and 16 successes in 40 Twenty20 Internationals.
While there were occasional glimpses of promise, inconsistency remained the defining characteristic of the team’s performances under his leadership.