Brendon McCullum was removed as England Test coach by ECB, but remains at the helm of white-ball teams.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has shortlisted nine names for the next head coach of the England Test team. ECB had recently removed Brendon McCullum after three years at the helm, though he remains the head coach of England's white-ball teams.
The ECB's preference for seasoned coaches with track records in both international and franchise cricket is demonstrated by the nine-man shortlist that includes former England coach and current Royal Challengers Bengaluru head coach Andy Flower, former Chennai Super Kings manager Stephen Fleming, Justin Langer of the Lucknow Super Giants, and Tom Moody.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) hopes to name McCullum's replacement well in advance of the first Test match against Pakistan on August 19 at Headingley, but administrators are willing to wait longer if necessary to find the best applicant before the Ashes the following year.
As per the Daily Mail Report, Andy Flower, who previously coached England from 2009 to 2014, is leading the race to become the head coach. However, there are complications as he is currently the head coach of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise in the IPL and led them to two IPL wins in 2025 and 2026.
Stephen Fleming recently parted ways with the Chennai Super Kings franchise after 18 years of association. He had led the franchise to five IPL titles and two Champions League titles as well. Due to his long-standing IPL obligations, Fleming had previously rejected England's approach prior to McCullum's appointment in 2022, but his availability has rekindled ECB interest.
Former Australia opener and current LSG head coach Justin Langer, with his disciplined coaching style, is now viewed as a potential antidote to England's recent struggles.
LSG director Tom Moody, Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara and Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson also feature in the ECB shortlist of overseas candidates.
On the other hand, only two English names have made it into the shortlist. One is Jonathan Trott, and the other is former Ireland and Hampshire coach Adi Birrell. Trott was recently hired by Ireland on a short-term basis and had success with the Afghanistan team.
The final shortlist apparently does not include England Lions coach Andrew Flintoff or legendary Indian player Rahul Dravid.
Although the ECB has already started contacting applicants, the board is giving priority to a long-term appointment that can rebuild the team before the Ashes because England has lost seven of their previous nine Test matches.
They might even name an interim coach for the Pakistan series, with Marcus Trescothick likely to take the reins.
(Daily Mail inputs)