Martyn Moxon has resigned as Durham head coach and is expected to make a return to his former county Yorkshire.
Moxon, 46, has been replaced by Geoff Cook, 55, who steps up from running Durham's academy at the Riverside.
"My time at Durham has been thoroughly enjoyable and I have felt great satisfaction in working with such a fantastic group of people," said Moxon.
Yorkshire have confirmed Moxon is on their shortlist for the role of director of professional cricket.
"No deal has yet been finalised, and until it has been concluded Yorkshire are not in a position to make further comment," chief executive Stewart Regan explained.
"We are in the latter stages of the negotiation process, and when a deal has been finalised we will comment fully."
There has been uncertainty over the position as Yorkshire supremo since Chris Adams had a last minute change of heart and turned down the role in November, while former director of cricket David Byas left the county in January after rejecting a director of cricket development position.
Former England star Gough completed his move from Essex on Wednesday and it is hoped he can persuade Anthony McGrath to honour his playing contract with the county.
McGrath has spent much of the winter trying to leave Yorkshire, despite having two years left on his current deal.
"Travelling from Wetherby [north Yorkshire] to Chester-le-Street has affected my ability to fulfil my responsibilities"
Moxon reportedly turned down an approach to return to Yorkshire three years ago.
He played for Yorkshire from 1981-97, latterly as captain, and became director of cricket when he retired before moving to Durham in 2001.
He also played 10 Tests, with a top score of 99, and eight ODIs for England.
Moxon said: "This has been a very difficult decision to make but the travelling from Wetherby [West Yorkshire] to Chester-le-Street has affected my ability to fulfil my responsibilities to the high standard that both I, and the club, demand.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Durham for their support."
Cook, who played seven Tests and six ODIs for England, captained Northamptonshire from 1981 to 1988 and moved to Durham in 1991.
"Geoff enjoys the full support of the playing squad"
He was appointed Durham's director of cricket for their maiden first class season in 1992 and before taking over as head coach he combined that role with being academy director.
Cook said: "This season is going to be an exciting one and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead."
Durham chief executive David Harker said: "We are delighted to be able to give this opportunity to one of our coaching team.
"Geoff has enjoyed enormous success running the Durham academy, with four of its intake already involved in the England set-up.
"Geoff enjoys the full support of the playing squad, with captain Dale Benkenstein particularly excited about the prospect of working with the man who brought him to the Riverside."