After players, now LSG Head Coach Justin Langer makes a shocking revelation on Sanjiv Goenka

Justin Langer has revealed how one line from Sanjiv Goenka compelled him to end his three-year hiatus and return to cricket as a coach. The former Australia opener replaced Andy Flower as the Lucknow Super Giants head coach in July 2023.

It was the first time that Justin Langer accepted a coaching role from an IPL franchise.

Langer had coached Perth Scorchers in the BBL

Even though the IPL role was new for the Australia great, there was no dearth of coaching experience for him. Under his coaching, Perth Scorchers won the Big Bash League title thrice.

He also enjoyed a successful stint as the head coach of the Australian men's team. Under him, Australia won their first-ever T20 World Cup title in 2021.

He stepped down as Australia's head coach early in 2022 and stayed away from cricket for nearly three years before a conversation with Sanjiv Goenka convinced him to accept the coaching offer.

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Langer reveals Goenka's words

"So I sit with (Sanjiv) Goenka and have this conversation. He’s a calm and nice person and is a very successful businessman. You know what he says in the end, the last words – ‘Justin, I know you had a very successful coaching career. But let’s face it. You can’t classify yourself as a great coach until you win the IPL’," Justin Langer told his former teammate Michael Clarke on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast.

The opportunity to build a successful team from scratch was very appealing for Langer and he finally accepted the offer from Goenka.

Justin Langer on Goenka's involvement:

Speaking further, Justin Langer also rubbished rumours suggesting that Goenka plays a role in cricketing decisions beyond the boardroom.

"I had zero stress from the Goenka family. My experience with the team proved those perceptions to be quite the opposite," said Langer.

Langer's first season with LSG did not go well. For the first time since their IPL journey began in 2022, the Lucknow-based outfit failed to qualify for the playoffs. They finished in the seventh spot and also decided to release their captain, KL Rahul.

However, they have started the ongoing season on a strong note. LSG have won three of their first five games and is currently in the fifth spot in the points table. They have looked like a strong unit so far and will be looking to go all the way this season.

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