Reports: Andrew Flintoff to replace Matthew Mott as new England white-ball coach

Andrew Flintoff. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former cricketer Andrew Flintoff is currently the favourite to take over as the new white-ball head coach for England. After a dismal performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, followed by a poor T20 World Cup 2024, there are reports of Matthew Mott stepping down as head coach later in the week. Jos Buttler’s role as captain is in danger as well since ECB Managing Director Rob Key is slated to discuss their potential future.

Mott resigning is a matter of when and not if, according to reports. Former England captain Eoin Morgan has already distanced himself from the role after which, Flintoff’s name is doing rounds in the media. The Ashes 2005 hero was out of action for over a year due to a horrific car crash and recently made his return to professional cricket as Northern Superchargers head coach.

Retired pacer Stuart Broad believes that bringing Flintoff into the set-up will be a brilliant move, as many players in the dressing room look up to him. The 38-year-old believes that he has the aura and a brilliant cricketing brain, which The Three Lions can use in white-ball cricket.

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“He’s at that great age where the players he’s now coaching, he’s probably their hero. The 2005 Ashes, the aura that Freddie had, to now go into a changing room with him and hear him speak about the style they want to play and him lead the group is really exciting. We know that he’s got a brilliant cricket brain and that he’s a cricket fan, has a lot of energy for it,” Broad was quoted as saying by The Mirror.

“Ultimately he ended up as head coach of one of The Hundred franchises, I’m sure with half an eye on building him towards becoming an international coach in the future. I think having someone like Freddie Flintoff involved in the game is only going to inspire the next generation,” he added.

Meanwhile, it’s unclear if Buttler will be relinquished of white-ball captaincy or give him another opportunity to prove in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Since there’s not much time left for the tournament, a new captain coming in may spoil things, which is why there’s a chance of Buttler continuing.