Coaches Thomas and Taylor agree new Leics deals

Leicestershire have secured the long-term future of their coaching staff, with head coach Alfonso Thomas and assistant coach James Taylor both signing new contracts that extend their tenure until the end of the 2028 season.

The extensions follow a period of significant success for the Foxes, who earned promotion to the top flight of the English game for the first time in the club’s history after finishing as Division Two title-winners during the 2025 season.

Alfonso Thomas, the 49-year-old South African, will continue to lead the County Championship side as head coach. He is supported by 36-year-old James Taylor, a former England batter and selector who has agreed to a similar extension of his role as assistant coach.

The partnership between Thomas and Taylor began in 2023, when the pair were appointed as interim head coaches to replace Paul Nixon. Their initial period of joint leadership proved successful, as they guided Leicestershire to the One-Day Cup title in 2023.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, Thomas was confirmed as the permanent head coach, with Taylor remaining by his side in the assistant role. This stability in leadership eventually culminated in the club’s historic promotion to Division One.

When James and I first stepped into these roles, we spoke about building something the supporters could be proud of – not just in terms of results but in the way the team represents the club every single day. We’ve made some fantastic progress together but there’s still a huge amount we want to achieve.

Alfonso Thomas

Claude Henderson, the director of cricket for Leicestershire, credited Thomas and Taylor with playing a massive role in the club’s turnaround. Henderson noted that the coaching duo transformed the organization from a first-class county side whose position was being questioned into what he described as a revitalised Division One outfit.

James Taylor possesses deep ties to the club, having started his professional playing career with Leicestershire. In discussing the club’s current trajectory, Taylor stated that strong foundations have been established in the years leading up to the current season.

Taylor indicated that he and Thomas intend to look to keep the club driving forward as they navigate the challenges of competing in the top division through the end of their new contracts in 2028.