By News18
Andrew Flintoff has expressed no interest in succeeding Brendon McCullum as England鈥檚 head coach, despite gaining experience with the England Lions. The former England captain has been coaching the Lions and the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred after recovering from a car crash while filming for BBC鈥檚 Top Gear, which left him with severe facial and rib injuries.
Flintoff鈥檚 positive influence on the Lions has led to speculation about him potentially stepping into the top coaching role, particularly if McCullum decides not to extend his contract, which runs until the 2027 World Cup and covers all three formats of the game.
Flintoff dismissed these suggestions, praising McCullum鈥檚 impact and comparing it to Gareth Southgate鈥檚 influence on the England football team from 2016 to 2024. Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Flintoff stated
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
What Is Flintoff鈥檚 Future With England Lions?
Flintoff first joined the England white-ball head coach Matthew Mott鈥檚 staff on an ad-hoc basis in September 2023, though he did not travel to that year鈥檚 World Cup in India. However, he was part of the team at the previous year鈥檚 T20 World Cup, where England鈥檚 semi-final exit led to Mott鈥檚 dismissal.
In his first season with the Superchargers, Flintoff led the team close to the knockout stages, a significant improvement from their previous bottom-of-the-standings finish. He also managed the Lions during a tour of Australia last winter and recently oversaw two unofficial Test draws against India A.
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 added the 47-year-old.
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 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
(With inputs from AFP)