Ben Stokes has made it clear that he would love nothing more than to take on a coaching role with the England cricket team one day. In a candid interview on the "For The Love of Cricket" podcast, the 35‑year‑old former captain explained his long‑term ambitions, reflected on his recent retirement, and offered his thoughts on the future leadership of the side. While he expressed enthusiasm for a potential England coaching job, he also questioned why Harry Brook, currently the Test vice‑captain and white‑ball captain, has not been promoted to the top Test spot. Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket shortly after England suffered a 2‑1 series loss to New Zealand in June, following an even more disappointing 4‑1 defeat in the Ashes earlier that winter.
He relinquished the Test captaincy, which he had held for four years since 2022, and stepped away from playing entirely. The decision came on the fourth day of England’s third Test at Trent Bridge, a moment that also triggered the departure of head coach Brendon "Baz" McCullum from his Test duties two weeks later.
During his first extensive interview since hanging up his boots, Stokes said, "I want to be a coach. I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game – which is to be a coach. Would I love to coach England one day? Absolutely.
I would love to be able to do that. Do I think it’s going to happen? I don’t know.
No idea. Then, further on from that, I don’t know. I just really like the idea of being, again, in some form of leadership away from playing." He emphasised that his retirement was final, replying with a decisive "Defo" when asked if he was certain about leaving the game for good.
Stokes also reflected on his partnership with McCullum, noting how the two reshaped England’s playing style during their overlapping tenures. He admitted surprise at the timing of McCullum’s exit, saying, "If I hadn't made the decision that I made four weeks ago, Baz would still be coach. When I told Baz about my retirement he was making toast and I just went ‘oh, I'm done’.
I'd obviously had discussions with him anyway and then told him over toast. Then, again, he was like ‘yeah, I've been given the tap on the shoulder’ and I was like ‘oh’.
But he's still very excited and very happy to be moving forward with the white‑ball because he's doing a very good job there." The conversation turned to the new era for England’s Test side after former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was appointed head coach and Joe Root was reinstated as captain. Stokes said he spoke with Root when the announcement broke and expressed both support and concern. "I love Rooty. I wish him nothing but success," Stokes said.
"I hope he goes on to achieve amazing things in his role of captain, and I think he's going to really enjoy it with Flem. He's a great man.
I've worked with Flem before. But I told Joe: ‘my only worry is you’. And that's all I really care about now with Rooty just because I saw what he went through and how much he put himself through. He always put the team first; he always came second.
That is just my only concern with it: knowing what he went through last time he was in charge of the team because I don't want to see that ever happen again because I care for Joe a lot." Stokes did not shy away from critiquing the decision not to hand the Test captaincy to Harry Brook. Brook, who is already the white‑ball captain and the vice‑captain in Tests, was overlooked despite his leadership credentials.
England men’s managing director Rob Key recently said the timing was not right for Brook to assume the Test role, but assured that his "time will come". Stokes countered, "If you think someone is going to be a good captain or a good leader, just give it to them. Brooky was made vice‑captain.
I'm not there anymore but even when I missed that Test match against New Zealand I was like ‘why is Brooky not captain? He's vice‑captain.’ And I understood the reasoning why they were saying it, but I was still like, what message is that sending to him? He's vice‑captain and the captain is not playing but he's not captain. Then the same again here.
I had no leadership or captaincy experience when I took over. It was just thought I was going to be a good captain." The former all‑rounder also addressed speculation that he might return for next summer’s home Ashes series. While Key suggested he "wouldn't be surprised" if Stokes came out of retirement, Stokes was unequivocal: "I never once thought, ‘I’m just going to give it up and just keep going as a player’. I'm 35.
If I'm not going to be captain, I think I'd find it tough to do it. Not saying because I'd find it tough to be led by someone else.
I just think because I've given so much of this part of my career to my job, if I'm going to play for England it's going to be as captain. I was very comfortable retiring from playing and not thinking about playing for England." Beyond the immediate reactions, Stokes’ comments shed light on broader themes in English cricket. His desire to transition into coaching reflects a growing trend of former players seeking to stay involved in the sport’s strategic side. By naming Fleming as head coach and reinstating Root, the England board appears to be blending international experience with home‑grown leadership.
However, the Brook captaincy debate highlights the delicate balance between rewarding emerging talent and managing the expectations of senior players. Stokes’ openness about his retirement also underscores the personal challenges elite athletes face when stepping away from the game. He spoke candidly about the emotional weight of giving up a role that had defined much of his adult life, and about the relief that comes with knowing he can now focus on new ambitions without the pressure of performance.
His statement that he would love to coach England, even if the opportunity may never materialise, shows a humility that contrasts with the often‑inflated egos associated with high‑profile sports figures. In summary, Ben Stokes has confirmed his intention to pursue a coaching career, ideally with England, while also voicing concerns over the handling of Harry Brook’s leadership trajectory. He remains supportive of Joe Root’s captaincy under Stephen Fleming’s guidance, yet he hopes that the board will learn from past experiences and give emerging leaders like Brook a clearer pathway to the top role.
As the English Test side prepares for upcoming series, including a home Ashes clash against Australia, the conversation sparked by Stokes’ interview will likely influence how the team structures its leadership and development pipelines in the years ahead.