England's new assistant coach Paul Farbrace admitted that it was impossible to turn down the job even though he will have mixed feelings when he faces former employers Sri Lanka next month.
Farbrace was lured away from his role as Sri Lanka coach by the opportunity to work as number two to new England head coach Peter Moores.
The former Kent wicketkeeper met Moores and a handful of players at the National Performance Centre in Loughborough on Thursday just 24 hours after his release from Sri Lanka Cricket was completed.
Farbrace had only been in his previous post since December, during which time the Englishman had led the Sri Lankans to success in the Asia Cup and World Twenty20.
His departure after such a brief but successful tenure, and on the eve of the Sri Lankans' tour of Ireland and England, has caused some consternation in Colombo.
Farbrace concedes the switch has come at an awkward time for all concerned but could not resist the lure of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
"It doesn't look great from the outside, someone leaving a job after four months, and I understand from a Sri Lankan point of view that there is disappointment because it was a successful time," he told BBC Radio Five.
"I understand there will be that disappointment but as I went back to explain to them on Monday, the opportunity to work with my own team, my own country, and be working from home was an offer I couldn't really refuse.
