Justin Langer revealed on the Stick to Cricket podcast that, despite frequent speculation linking him to the vacant England Test head‑coach position, he has not yet been approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). While he confirmed that the role, along with similar positions in India and England, represents one of the most prestigious jobs in world cricket, he also hinted that he would be interested should an invitation arrive.
During the interview, the former Australian head coach described the England Test job as "one of the biggest" in the sport, alongside the Indian and Australian appointments. "It’s a career and everyone looks at all opportunities," he said, underscoring the professional mindset that coaches adopt when evaluating potential moves. The vacancy arose after Brendon McCullum was dismissed earlier this month following a dismal run of seven losses in nine Tests. The first name most fans and pundits mentioned as a possible successor was Andy Flower, but the former Zimbabwe captain turned down the offer, citing his existing commitments with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise in the IPL and his role with London Spirit in The Hundred.
Langer, who currently coaches the Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred, has also been floated as a candidate. However, The Telegraph reported that his name does not appear on the ECB’s official shortlist, and Langer himself stressed that he has not received any formal contact. "I haven't, no," he replied when asked about any outreach. "I haven't heard from anyone.
It's all paper talk, all hypothetical." The former Test batsman, who earned 105 caps for Australia between 1993 and 2007, used the platform to stress his passion for the longer format of the game. "I'm passionate about cricket, but especially Test cricket," he said.
"Franchise cricket is fantastic, but we must protect and nurture Test cricket because it is vital for the health of the sport. That’s why I talk about the three big countries—Australia, India and England—and why it matters that they stay strong." Langer also addressed the broader structural question of whether the head‑coach role should be split between Test and white‑ball responsibilities. He noted that McCullum will remain England’s white‑ball head coach, meaning the two positions will be separate for the foreseeable future.
"My personal view has always been that if you're the head coach of Australia you should oversee all of it," Langer asserted, suggesting a unified approach can provide consistency across formats. He went on to explain the conditions required for a split coaching model to succeed. "It can work if you have the right people. They need to get on very well, share the same philosophy, and be aligned with the director of cricket—Rob Key in England’s case.
They have to fit like a glove," Langer said. He cited the partnership of Andy Flower and Ashley Giles, as well as the working relationship between McCullum and Matthew Mott, as examples where a divided structure has shown some promise, albeit with limitations. Nevertheless, Langer warned that the new arrangement could present challenges, particularly with the increasing prominence of T20 and other white‑ball formats.
"There will be teething issues for Baz and whoever he works with," he noted, referring to the incoming England Test coach. "If they collaborate effectively, it could work, but there aren’t many successful precedents." Reflecting on his own tenure as Australia’s head coach, Langer highlighted a mixed record: 15 wins, 11 losses and five draws across his spell. He proudly recalled retaining the Ashes in England in 2019, when the series ended 2‑2, and then delivering a 4‑0 whitewash in the Covid‑affected 2021‑22 Ashes back in Australia.
However, his time in the role ended abruptly in February 2022, just weeks after the emphatic series win, amid reports of a strained relationship with senior players. The departure was described as acrimonious, casting a shadow over an otherwise successful coaching stint. In summary, while Langer has not been formally contacted about the England Test job, he remains open to the possibility and continues to advocate for the importance of Test cricket within the global game.
He emphasizes that coaching is a career path where every opportunity is considered, but any decision will depend on the right fit, the structure of the coaching set‑up, and the overall vision for the sport’s future.