I will apply to coach England in 2019- Andrew Flintoff

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff admits that he hopes to coach the national side, stating that he will apply for the position when it becomes vacant in 2019. Notably, Trevor Bayliss had announced that he would step down from his duties post the 2019 ICC World Cup.

“I’m talking with my heart, yes (I’ll apply), I want to do it one day … if they want me to do it, I’ll do it. We spoke about it and I was serious, but I had to think if I’d be better than the person they’re choosing,” Flintoff said on his podcast, Flintoff, Savage and The Ping Pong Guy.

However, this will be the second time he has thrown his hat in the ring for the top job. Earlier, he applied when Peter Moores was re-appointed in 2014.

“I knew I wouldn’t be better than Peter Moores, so after a half an hour conversation I withdrew, but also said if Moores doesn’t get it, put me back in the hat,” Flintoff added

Flintoff’s application was washed over initially, with a clerical error almost denying the allrounder an initial interview.

“I thought you can bang on about it and put players down, or actually do something about it, so I thought that I would have a crack at this, I wrote an email, three weeks past and no reply.

I found out the ECB thought it wasn’t me despite me having one email all my life,” Flintoff revealed further.

Flintoff, who has been a strong promoter of mental health said he would emphasize the mental side of the game rather than a heavy focus on skills.

“A coach’s job now is to get players feeling the best they can be to perform, as a coach or mentor, that’d be my greatest asset.

When I look back now, I should’ve spent more time on my head, I spent all the time in the gym and practicing, but I should’ve spent more time focussing on my mind,” Flintoff signed off.

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