Anthony McGrath: "I haven't given too much thought to beyond this year"

The Essex head coach was speaking as the latest guest on The Cricketer's County Conversation podcast

Anthony McGrath says his Essex future will be dictated by on-field performances after admitting "you can be at a place for too long".

The former England and Yorkshire all-rounder arrived at Chelmsford as Chris Silverwood's assistant in 2016 and took on the main job ahead of the 2018 campaign.

His six full campaigns in charge have been trophy-laden and include the first-ever County Championship-T20 Blast double and a Bob Willis Trophy.

Last summer, the Eagles were runners-up to Surrey in Division One and beaten by Somerset in the Blast final at Edgbaston.

^{McGrath's stint as head coach has been trophy-laden (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

Appearing as a guest on episode 12 of The Cricketer's County Conversation podcast, McGrath, who is essentially on a rolling one-year contract at CM2, discussed his future and more in a special edition focused on Essex.

"I'm aware that I've been at Essex eight, nine years now and I think there is some merit in you can be at a place for too long," he said. "Sometimes all sports teams need a change.

"I think I'd judge it on performance on the field. I

know the players have a huge say in that but I think if I see a dip in the intensity, the messaging we're giving as coaches there is naturally a right time for a change.

"I don't know when that is. At some point, I'm not going to be at Essex forever obviously because they might not want me forever and things might change but I haven't given too much thought to beyond this year for instance."

McGrath also touched on the relentless county schedule, managing his all-star bowling attack of Sam Cook, Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer and how he has blocked out the off-the-field controversy in a wide-ranging interview with The Cricketer's digital editor Nick Howson.

Available to download via Spotify, Acast, Apple and Google Podcasts (or wherever you get your podcasts), County Conversation is also viewable via The Cricketer's YouTube channel.

Alternatively, listen to episode 12 in its entirety below:

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