Mickey Arthur expected to remain Derbyshire head coach despite PCB chair's latest comments

NICK HOWSON: Arthur, who signed a new contract with the English county until 2025 last December, remains in talks regarding a consultancy position but any suggestion he is about to completely jump ship are wide of the mark

Mickey Arthur's position as Derbyshire head coach is unchanged despite Pakistan claiming he is close to returning to lead the men’s team.

Chair Najam Sethi insists the PCB have not given up on luring the 54-year-old after an informal offer was rebuffed, as reported by The Cricketer.

A statement from the PCB confirmed talks had broken down and that a part-time "option is proving difficult to materialise for various reasons on both sides".

Arthur, who signed a new contract with the English county until 2025 last December, remains in talks regarding a consultancy position but any suggestion he is about to completely jump ship are wide of the mark.

^{Mickey Arthur is not about to leave Derbyshire [Getty Images]}

^{Najam Sethi said on Monday that Arthur would be going back to the PCB [Getty Images]}

Indeed, upon being informed of Sethi's comments he quickly clarified his position to Derbyshire chief executive Ryan Duckett.

Speaking at the unveiling of new chief selector Haroon Rashid on Monday (January 23), Sethi indicated the ex-Australia and South Africa coach was on the brink of a return.

"I didn't close the chapter on Mickey Arthur," he told the assembled media. "I am personally in negotiations with him, and I think we have covered 90 per cent of the way.

"Hopefully, we may give you the news that Mickey will be joining us."

He added: "Mickey will be back.

^{Arthur has a contract with Derbyshire until 2025 [Getty Images]}

"When he comes, I've told him to tell me what team he wants and how much we need to pay them. Then, we can take things forward."

Arthur served as Pakistan men's coach between 2016 and 2019 but was discarded after his contract was not renewed following the 50-over World Cup in England.

The PCB are in the process of refreshing the personnel around the men's side following a winless home Test season, during which they lost 3-0 to England and drew with New Zealand.

That is expected to include the departure of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq who has opted not to renew his deal.

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