Marvan Atapattu is favourite to become Sri Lanka head coach

Former Sri Lankan captain and current interim coach Marvan Atapattu remains optimistic that he will take over the team on a permanent basis when Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decide to zero in on their long-term successor to Paul Farbrace, who left the team after their ICC World T20 2014 triumph to join his old friend Peter Moores’ set up for England.
Names of experienced coaches Mickey Arthur and Eric Simons are being thrown around As such, with a short list of around nine people being pondered, Atapattu feels he is the strongest candidate to hold the job, over names like Mickey Arthur, Eric Simons, and other high-profile coaches.
Atapattu told Sri Lanka’s Daily Mirror: “I consider my self as to be at the top of the list. “The reasons being that the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has already shown confidence in me by progressively upgrading me from the position of batting coach to assistant coach and as head coach for 3 tours: England, South Africa, and Pakistan.
“I have achieved close to 70 % success rate as head coach in these tours .Secondly being a Sri Lankan I have got the best rapport possible with the players, staff and the administration specially with no language barrier.
“I also understand the Sri Lankan mentality, the culture and also know the idiosyncrasies of each player as I have known them from the beginning of their cricketing careers.
“Also having had the exposure as batting coach and head coach for a fair period of time, I have already identified the requirements for the future short and long term strategic plans for cricket development.”
Atapattu was also up for the job in 2013 but didn’t get it, though he held no bitterness about that, saying: “I don’t consider my self as having been snubbed by the SLC on that occasion.
“To explain, I must say that the post of head coach was advertised and I was one of the applicants. Interviews and presentations were held where I too participated. The panel selected an individual whom they thought is the best and it had the right to do so.”
Atapattu went on to explain the good relationship he has fostered with many of the Sri Lankan seniors “My relationship with all senior players has been good.
“They have extended their co-operation to the captain and to my self at all stages. They have also guided the juniors, encouraged them when necessary and overall made my job as coach much easier.
“They have always inculcated a sense of discipline amongst the juniors both in and out of the field.”

-cricketcountry.com