'PCB made my job tough': Jason Gillespie breaks silence on his resignation as Pakistan head coach
Published - 16 Dec 2024, 12:51 PM | Updated - 16 Dec 2024, 12:53 PM
Table of Contents
Former Pakistan National Cricket Team head coach Jason Gillespie opened up about why he resigned from the role. He claimed that he was completely and utterly blindsided as he didn't know anything about the team selection.
Pakistan National Cricket Team, just ahead of the Test series against the South Africa National Cricket, was part of another drama. Red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie stepped down from the role in a shocking development after his poor relationship with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Gillespie reportedly resigned from the role as it was learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn't accept his demands. He was also omitted from the selection committee after being named as one of the selectors, and hence, it didn't go well with him as the tensions between him and the board flared up.
As a head coach you like to have clear communication with your employer and I was completely and utterly blindsided - Jason Gillespie
However, Gillespie has finally opened up about the reason behind the resignation. He said that he wasn't made aware of developments taking place, especially of his assistant coach Tim Nielsen being told to go. Speaking to ABC Sport, he explained:
"The straw that broke the camel’s back… as a head coach you like to have clear communication with your employer and I was completely and utterly blindsided by a decision to no longer have a high-performance coach,"
"My senior assistant coach Tim Nielsen was told his services were no longer required and I had zero communication from anyone about that I just thought after a number of other things that had gone on in the previous few months, that was the moment I thought well I’m not sure they actually want me to do this job."
Had to ask the selectors when they're going to share what the squad is - Jason Gillespie
Jason Gillespie also mentioned that he had to ask selectors about sharing squads and added that things like these made him think if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) really wanted him as a coach or not. He added:
"I was basically hitting catches and that was about it ... having to ask the selectors when they're going to share what the squad is ... those sort of things just make you think, are they really interested in having you on board?"
That just made things a lot more difficult to be able to do my job effectively - Jason Gillespie
Jason Gillespie concluded by saying that PCB made his job difficult, and when his assistant coach was asked not to go to South Africa on the recommendation of someone else, his role was made untenable. He elaborated:
“That just made things a lot more difficult to be able to do my job effectively and then the board decided to not allow Tim to travel to South Africa, I’ve heard that was on the recommendation of someone which in essence made my job untenable."