Justin Langer tipped as England Test coach frontrunner by Darren Lehmann
Synopsis
Darren Lehmann — the man Langer replaced as Australia coach — is now his most prominent backer for the England job. With McCullum gone and Flower ruled out, Langer is the frontrunner, but accepting would mean walking away from two lucrative franchise T20 roles. Lehmann's parting hint that the ECB may already have their man only deepens the intrigue.
Key Takeaways
Darren Lehmann publicly backed Justin Langer for the England men's Test head coach role on 18 July .
The vacancy arose after the sacking of Brendon McCullum last week.
Andy Flower has ruled out a return due to franchise commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and London Spirit .
Lehmann confirmed he has not been approached for the role and is content coaching Northamptonshire .
Langer would need to relinquish his coaching roles with Lucknow Super Giants (IPL) and Manchester Super Giants (The Hundred) if appointed.
Lehmann suggested the ECB may already have a preferred candidate in mind, given the mid-season timing of the change.
Former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has publicly endorsed compatriot Justin Langer for the vacant England men's Test head coach position, saying Langer 'would be a really good coach' if he pursued the role. Lehmann also confirmed he has not been approached for the job himself, speaking to Sky Sports on 18 July.
How the Vacancy Arose
The England Test coaching role opened up following the sacking of Brendon McCullum last week. Former England coach Andy Flower has already ruled himself out of contention, citing existing franchise commitments — he is currently attached to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and London Spirit in The Hundred. With Flower out of the picture, Langer has emerged as the apparent frontrunner for the post.
What Lehmann Said
Lehmann, who currently coaches Northamptonshire in the English county circuit, was candid about his own position. 'I'm very happy coaching Northants and I haven't had any phone calls. You'd certainly listen to it. I'm sure there are so many applicants,' he told Sky Sports.
He also suggested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) may already have a preferred candidate. 'My feeling is they've already made up their mind. If you remove someone mid-summer, you've got somebody in mind,' Lehmann said. On Langer specifically, he added: 'If he were to go for it, he'd be a really good coach. Whoever takes it on they've got some really talented players. I see some good players in the county system.'
Langer's Record and the Ashes Connection
Langer succeeded Lehmann as Australia's head coach in 2018. His tenure included retaining the Ashes in England in 2019 — a drawn series that kept the urn in Australian hands — and a commanding 4-0 home series victory in 2021-22. He resigned in February 2022, however, amid widely reported tensions with senior players in the squad.
Notably, Lehmann himself presided over Australia's emphatic 5-0 Ashes whitewash against England in 2013-14 before stepping down in 2018. The prospect of either man coaching England would represent a striking crossing of the traditional Ashes divide.
The Scheduling Conflict Langer Must Resolve
Should Langer be offered and accept the England role, he faces an immediate logistical challenge. He is currently serving as head coach of Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred. Taking up a full-time Test coaching position would require him to step away from both franchise T20 commitments — a decision with significant financial and contractual implications.
The ECB is expected to move quickly on the appointment given the mid-season timing of McCullum's departure. Whether Langer's name is formally confirmed or another candidate emerges will likely become clear in the days ahead.
Point of View
The franchise conflict with Lucknow Super Giants and Manchester Super Giants is a real structural hurdle, not a formality. And for English cricket, hiring an Australian who resigned under player-relations pressure raises questions the ECB will need to answer publicly before any announcement lands well.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the England Test head coach role vacant?
The role became vacant following the sacking of Brendon McCullum last week. The ECB has not publicly detailed the reasons, but the mid-season timing suggests urgency in finding a replacement.
Why is Justin Langer considered the frontrunner?
With Brendon McCullum gone and Andy Flower having ruled himself out due to franchise commitments, Langer has emerged as the most prominent name being discussed. Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has publicly endorsed him, calling him 'a really good coach.'
What is Darren Lehmann's connection to this story?
Lehmann was Australia's head coach before Langer succeeded him in 2018. He currently coaches Northamptonshire in the English county circuit and confirmed on 18 July that he has not been approached for the England role himself.
What scheduling conflict does Langer face if appointed?
Langer is currently head coach of Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred. Accepting the England Test role would require him to give up both franchise T20 coaching positions.
What was Justin Langer's record as Australia coach?
Langer coached Australia from 2018 to February 2022, during which Australia retained the Ashes in England in 2019 and won 4-0 at home in 2021-22. He resigned in February 2022 amid reported tensions with senior players.
