Ben Stokes has made it clear that he would love nothing more than to become England’s head coach one day, while also hinting that Brendon McCullum might still have been in charge of the Test side if Stokes had not announced his retirement weeks earlier. The 35‑year‑old all‑rounder stepped down from the England Test captaincy and announced his retirement from international cricket after the team suffered a 2‑1 loss to New Zealand in June, a defeat that followed a 4‑1 drubbing in the Ashes earlier that winter. In a lengthy interview on the "For The Love of Cricket" podcast – hosted by former teammates Stuart Broad and Jos Buttler – Stokes spoke for the first time since hanging up his boots. He confirmed that his decision to quit was final and opened up about his longer‑term ambitions within the sport.
"I want to be a coach," Stokes said straightforwardly. "I know what I want to do after my playing days are over – I want to stay involved in the game, and that means coaching. Would I love to coach England? Absolutely.
I would relish the chance to lead the national side. Will it happen?
I have no idea. I just enjoy the idea of being in a leadership role again, just not on the field." Stokes held the Test captaincy for four years, from 2022 until his retirement, working closely with head coach Brendon McCullum as they reshaped England’s approach to the longest format.
McCullum’s departure from the Test coaching role was announced just two weeks after Stokes announced his own exit, which came on the fourth day of England’s third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. "I was surprised," Stokes admitted.
"If I hadn’t made the decision I made four weeks ago, Baz would still be coach. When I told Baz about my retirement he was making toast and I just said, ‘I’m done.’ We had already talked about it, but I told him over toast. He replied, ‘Yeah, I’ve been given the tap on the shoulder,’ and I thought, ‘Okay.’ He’s still very excited about moving into white‑ball coaching because he’s doing a great job there." Stokes also weighed in on the new direction for the Test side now that former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has been appointed head coach and Joe Root has been reinstated as captain.
He said he spoke with Root – his long‑time teammate who led England from 2017 to 2022 – when the appointment was announced and expressed full support for his friend’s second spell in charge. "I love Rooty. I wish him nothing but success," Stokes said. "I hope he achieves amazing things as captain, especially with Stephen Fleming alongside him.
He’s a great man; I’ve worked with him before. My only worry is for Joe, because I saw how much pressure he endured last time. He always put the team first and sacrificed his own comfort. I don’t want to see him go through that again.
But I’m confident he’ll do a fantastic job, and I’m excited to see how the side progresses." One point that Stokes could not let slide was the decision not to promote Harry Brook – the current white‑ball captain and Test vice‑captain – to the Test role after his own departure. England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, had recently suggested that the timing was not right for Brook, but that his "time will come." Stokes challenged that view. "If you think someone will be a good captain, just give it to them," he argued. "Brooky is already vice‑captain.
I wasn’t there for the New Zealand Test, but I kept thinking, ‘Why isn’t Brook the captain? He’s the vice‑captain.’ I understood the reasoning behind the decision, but it sent a mixed message. He’s the vice‑captain, the captain is unavailable, yet he still isn’t given the armband. When I first took the role I had no leadership experience; it was just assumed I would be a good captain." Stokes also put an unequivocal end to any speculation about a playing comeback for the next home Ashes series.
When Key suggested he might be surprised if Stokes returned, the former star was clear. "I never thought, ‘I’ll quit and then come back as a player,’" Stokes said. "I’m 35. If I’m not captain, I think it would be hard for me to continue playing.
It’s not that I’d struggle under another leader; it’s that I’ve devoted so much of my career to leading that I can’t see myself playing without that responsibility. I was comfortable retiring and moving on." When pressed on whether his retirement was definitive, Stokes answered without hesitation: "Defo." Stokes’ comments provide a window into his future plans and his candid thoughts on England’s leadership transition. While he may one day take the reins as head coach, for now his focus is on supporting the new coaching staff, cheering on Joe Root’s captaincy, and hoping that Harry Brook receives the leadership opportunities he believes are deserved.
All times are UK and Ireland. Live coverage of England’s upcoming three‑Test series against Pakistan begins on August 19 on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming options available via NOW without a contract.