MARTYN Moxon accepts he has a tough task on his hands in replacing Yorkshire’s outgoing coach Jason Gillespie.

Gillespie will return to Australia early next month after a successful five years in charge, including back-to-back Specsavers County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.

The White Rose couldn’t make it three in a row at Lord’s last week, pipped to the post by Middlesex, but Gillespie has set the bar high having also guiding the county to Championship promotion, two T20 Finals Day and two 50-over semi-finals.

The search for a new coach has already begun, although it has taken a back seat whilst the four-day title race was still ongoing.

Now, the intensity of the search will step up for director of cricket Moxon, who has praised Gillespie’s influence in making Yorkshire English cricket’s premier force.

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace has already ruled himself of out a return to Headingley, while former Lancashire batsman Brad Hodge, Gillespie’s fellow Aussie and his assistant coach at Adelaide Strikers, is the latest name to be linked with the post.

“It’s a remarkable record in Championship cricket that Dizzy has got as coach of the first XI,” said Moxon.

“He’s had a fantastic five years here, and it’s been a pleasure working with him. He’s done a brilliant job. He’s a great man as well as a brilliant friend.

“Obviously I knew him before he became coach here, but I think we’ve built up a really strong friendship that will last for the rest of our lives.

“I’m just thankful for the job he’s done for Yorkshire Cricket, and obviously we will miss him.

“But it’s not about one person, and we will find a successor for him.

“It’s going to be very hard to beat that record he has or even match it, but the important thing is that the club does live on.

“Hopefully we can continue the success that Dizzy has started. We’ll have a bit of a break, then we’ll come back strong next year.”

A LITTLE over five weeks ago, Yorkshire were on course for a trio of trophies in the season.

But, ultimately, they ended with nothing after semi-final exits in the NatWest T20 Blast and the Royal London one-day Cup.

“It’s been a nearly season all round,” said Moxon. “If we’re being brutally honest, in Championship cricket we haven’t played well enough to win it.

“We got so close in the one-day cup and the T20, but in those semi-finals we weren’t good enough on the day to finish the job.

“It’s been a fantastic effort, so it is disappointing to finish with nothing, but when the dust has settled everyone can be rightly proud of their achievements.”

Gillespie announced his intentions to leave Yorkshire at the end of the season late last month, and Moxon said shortly afterwards “I’ve got a few ideas” with regards to a replacement coach.

One of those was Farbrace, who has opted to remain within the England set-up.

An application process remains a possibility for the new coach.

Other names mentioned include former Yorkshire players Richard Dawson, Chris Silverwood and Anthony McGrath.

ANother possible is Brad Hodge who is in the early stages of his coaching career. He guided Gujarat Lions to the semi-finals of the most recent IPL and will coach a Cricket Australia XI in the Matador Cup, starting on Saturday.