'Rumours' - Justin Langer quashes talks of ECB's coaching role links

Justin Langer has dismissed England men's Test coaching role talks, saying that no one from the ECB has reached out to him with an offer. Langer, 55, has been constantly linked to the role since Brendon McCullum's axing, with several reports even projecting him as one of the frontrunners.

"No, I haven't, no," Langer said on an episode of the Stick to Cricket podcast featuring Michael Vaughan, David Lloyd, Sir Alastair Cook and Phil Tufnell, when asked if he had been approached for the Test coaching role by the England and Wales Cricket Board. "No, I haven't heard from anyone. You read all this [speculation]... It's all paper talk, it's all rumours."

Langer previously coached Australia's men's cricket team. He took over as head coach amid a turbulent time when the Australian cricket team's credibility had hit rock bottom following the Sandpapergate in 2018, leading to the unceremonious exit of his predecessor Darren Lehmann, and one-year bans to Steven Smith and David Warner. Cameron Bancroft was also handed out a nine-month ban.

Langer initially worked alongside Tim Paine (Tests) and Aaron Finch (ODIs and T20Is) to restore the honour and pride of the outfit. During Langer's tenure, Australia won the Ashes at home, drew the series in England, won an ODI series in India and clinched the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He was offered a six-month contract in 2022, which would have taken him to the end of the 2022 T20 World Cup edition. However, Langer outrightly rejected the opportunity and tendered his resignation in February 2022.

It is understood that Langer's stringent coaching approach rubbed several Aussie players the wrong way, and they weren't in favour of him being given an extended run. Currently, Langer is serving as the head coach of Super Giants. He is overseeing Manchester Super Giants in the men's Hundred.

Earlier, Andy Flower had confirmed being approached by the ECB for the Test coaching role. But Flower, who is currently the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, turned it down.