Former Kent head coach Matt Walker is to take the top job with another county.

Walker, 52, will join Sussex from Warwickshire - where he’s batting coach - ahead of the 2027 season, with Paul Farbrace moving into the director of cricket position.

“I’m incredibly honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to become head coach of Sussex Cricket,” Gravesend-born Walker told Sussex’s website on Tuesday.

“Sussex is a club I have always admired and one with a proud history. The opportunity to work with this group of players and staff, alongside Paul, was one that really excited me.

“There is already a strong foundation in place and I'm looking forward to building on that as we strive to help Sussex compete for trophies.

“I can't wait to get started.”

Walker spent eight seasons as head coach at Kent where he guided them to promotion to County Championship Division 1 in 2018 and T20 Blast success in 2021. They also won the One-Day Cup the following year.

He has coached in England’s set-up, too, and is currently assistant coach with MI London, formerly known as Oval Invincibles, in The Hundred competition.

Farbrace said: “We’re delighted that Matt has agreed to become our new head coach.

“We conducted a thorough three-stage process, involving some excellent candidates from across the cricketing world, and Matt consistently impressed throughout. He was the clear choice.

“He has an excellent reputation within the game and brings the experience, energy and enthusiasm we're looking for.

“I'm really looking forward to working alongside him as we tackle the challenges in front of us and build a team capable of competing for trophies.”

Sussex returned to Division 1 as champions in 2024 under the guidance of Ash-born Farbrace before finishing fourth in 2025.

The club were then hit with a 12-point deduction for the 2026 season after "sustained operating losses" in the previous financial year.

Walker and new club chairman Ed Warner will have to work within tight financial restrictions going forward.

The club is under a player salary cap until 2028 and needs to provide the ECB with a three‑year business plan, and deliver sustainable year‑on‑year operating profits for the same period.

Among those in Sussex’s squad are former Kent vice-captain Jack Leaning and Margate-born seam bowler Ollie Robinson.

Sussex sit joint-fifth in the top-tier of red-ball cricket while Adam Hollioake’s Kent outfit are second in County Championship Division 2.

Neither county qualified for the knockout stages of the Vitality T20 Blast from the South group.