COLOMBO: Sri Lanka were left searching for their seventh coach in four years after Paul Farbrace resigned on Tuesday to take up a possible assignment with England, Sri Lanka Cricket said.

Farbrace, 46, has been linked to the post of assistant coach to Peter Moores, who was named England’s chief coach last week replacing Zimbabwean Andy Flower.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have yet to confirm Farbrace’s appointment, but Sri Lankan chiefs appeared certain that the Englishman will return to his home nation.

“National coach Paul Farbrace tendered his resignation and has indicated his unavailability to continue with immediate effect in order to take up an appointment with the ECB,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.

Farbrace, the former Kent wicket-keeper, took over as Sri Lanka’s coach in January for a two-year term that was to include next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Under him, Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup one-day tournament and also grabbed the World Twenty20 title after beating India in the final in Dhaka earlier this month.

“We had talks with Paul and tried to convince him to stay because of the valuable contribution he has made to Sri Lanka cricket during his short tenure,” Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said.

“Paul wanted time till today to reach a final decision and he has tended his resignation.” Sri Lanka will need a new coach before they head to England next month for two Tests and a limited-overs series.

Since 2010, Sri Lanka have had a succession of coaches in Trevor Bayliss, Stuart Law, Rumesh Ratnayake, Geoff Marsh, Graham Ford and Farbrace.England managing director Paul Downton said last week that talks to name Moores’s assistant were ‘advanced’.

Sri Lanka will need a new coach before they head to England next month for two Tests and a limited-overs series.

Moores was named England’s chief coach to replace Zimbabwean Andy Flower, returning to the role for a second stint.