By David Charlesworth
Andrew Flintoff insists he has no interest in succeeding Brendon McCullum as England head coach.
Flintoff is overseeing the fortunes of England Lions and Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, having returned to cricket following his Top Gear crash that left him with severe facial and rib injuries.
He has been linked with the top England post, possibly if McCullum opts against extending his contract with the national side that covers all three formats and runs up to and including the 2027 World Cup.
But Flintoff rejected the notion, instead choosing to highlight how big a fan of McCullum he is, likening the New Zealander鈥檚 influence to Sir Gareth Southgate with the England football team from 2016-24.
Asked about the prospect of taking over from McCullum, the 2005 Ashes hero told the Stick to Cricket podcast: 鈥淚t鈥檚 not something I鈥檓 looking at, Baz McCullum is incredible 鈥 the best England coach.
鈥淗e鈥檚 unbelievable and the culture he鈥檚 created is incredible. It鈥檚 similar to what Gareth Southgate did with the football lads; they are not just good players but great lads as well.
鈥淚鈥檓 enjoying working under Keysy (England managing director of men鈥檚 cricket Rob Key), it鈥檚 no secret he鈥檚 one of my best mates and he鈥檚 helped me so much in other things. With Baz, we鈥檝e got a great relationship and the utmost respect.鈥
Flintoff, a former England captain, initially joined then white-ball head coach Matthew Mott鈥檚 backroom team on an ad-hoc basis in September 2023 although he did not travel to that year鈥檚 World Cup in India.
He was, however, involved afterwards and part of England鈥檚 coaching staff at last year鈥檚 T20 World Cup, which following a semi-final exit led to Australian Mott鈥檚 sacking.
Flintoff last year lifted the Superchargers to within a whisker of the knockout stages in his first season, after they had finished bottom of the standings the year before, while he presided over a tour to Australia last winter with the Lions, who have recently drawn two unofficial Tests against India A.
The 47-year-old former all-rounder added: 鈥淗onestly, at the moment, I feel as though I鈥檓 in the perfect place working with the Lions. I don鈥檛 see this as a stepping stone to anything else, I鈥檓 invested in this and get a chance to work with these lads.
鈥淚鈥檓 not looking at the franchise world or anything else, although I do the Northern Superchargers which came around last year and I enjoy working with (Superchargers captain) Harry Brook on that.
鈥淚鈥檝e been guilty of, in the TV world and in retirement, of always looking for the next thing, chasing things. I鈥檓 actually really happy, working with great lads and great staff around me. I think 鈥業鈥檝e got a job to do here鈥 and it鈥檚 not like 鈥榳hat鈥檚 next?鈥.鈥