England is on the hunt for a new white-ball head coach following the confirmation of Matthew Mott's departure. Mott, appointed in May 2022, led the team to a T20 World Cup victory in Australia but saw a significant decline in performance thereafter. England managed only three wins in 12 matches against Test nations across last year's ODI World Cup and this year's T20 World Cup, resulting in Mott's exit two years into his four-year contract.
Telegraph Sport explores the possible successors to Mott, with Marcus Trescothick currently serving as interim head coach for the T20 and ODI series against Australia, starting September 11.
The incoming coach will immediately focus on the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February, followed by the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026.
Andrew Flintoff
After a car accident in December 2022, Andrew Flintoff returned to cricket, initially working with England's age-group setup and later as a consultant for the white-ball team. He recently started his first professional head coaching role with the Northern Superchargers, though he lost his debut match. Despite his legendary status, Flintoff is considered an unlikely candidate for the head coach position at this stage of his coaching career.
Eoin Morgan
Having led England to an ODI World Cup win, Eoin Morgan was part of the interview panel that appointed Mott. Morgan, a vocal critic of Mott's regime during the last ODI World Cup, is now a leading candidate to replace him. Though Morgan has expressed interest in coaching, he currently enjoys spending time with his young family. His tactical acumen makes him an excellent candidate, and Jos Buttler, a close friend, might prefer to see him in charge sooner rather than later.
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara, the current head coach of Rajasthan Royals, has a strong rapport with Buttler, despite Buttler not captaining the IPL franchise. A prolific former player, Sangakkara is known for his relaxed coaching style, encouraging players to express themselves, similar to Brendon McCullum's approach. Spending much of his time in England and working as a commentator for Sky Sports, Sangakkara is a notable contender.
Mike Hussey
Australia’s Mike Hussey, head coach of Welsh Fire and batting coach for Chennai Super Kings, is well-respected for his tactical input, which helped England win the 2022 T20 World Cup. Known for demanding that players take responsibility for their performances, Hussey is a well-regarded candidate with extensive experience.
Andy Flower
Andy Flower's potential return to England would be significant, having previously served as head coach from 2009-2014. Despite criticism for his intense style, Flower led England to a highly successful Test period and a T20 World Cup win in 2010. Currently, coaching Trent Rockets and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Flower has adapted his methods and is highly sought after in the T20 franchise circuit. He gave Buttler his England debut in 2011 and maintains a good rapport with current players.
Brendon McCullum
There is speculation about consolidating the coaching roles under Brendon McCullum to address concerns about neglecting the white-ball setup. McCullum, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2021 IPL final and won the Caribbean Premier League, might be considered for a temporary role, possibly overseeing both formats.
Marcus Trescothick
Currently, the interim coach, Marcus Trescothick has an opportunity to make his case for the permanent position. With a longstanding relationship with Buttler from their Somerset days, Trescothick has been an assistant coach for England and is known for his effective work with batsmen. Despite past struggles with mental health, Trescothick has embraced his role as a coach and is respected in the cricketing community. If results improve, he could become a strong candidate for the permanent position.