With many speculations on the contenders for England’s White-ball coach setup, Eoin Morgan has included Rahul Dravid as one of the potential candidates to replace Matthew Mott for the position.
Matthew Mott has stepped down from England’s White ball coach following England’s defeat at the hands of India in the T20 World Cup campaign and a dismal performance in the ODI World Cup 2023. With Dravid not committed to any role, Morgan sees the former India’s coach as one of the competitors.
Speaking to the media, Morgan said that Rob Key has the job of making the England white-ball coach role to be clean and distinct. He also said that the ECB could approach high-profile managers for the job.
“You got to remember, it’s the England cricket team, it’s one of the most resourced cricket teams in the world, so it is up to Rob [Key] to make that role as attractive as possible. So you then go to the best coaches or highly regarded coaches in the world and say ‘Well, this is a job that you want to do as opposed to having to second guess it,'” told Morgan.
“In my eyes, at the moment, you would go to Rahul Dravid, Ricky Ponting, Stephen Fleming, and Brendon McCullum. I say McCullum because I believe he is one of the best coaches in the world,” he added.
“Yes, the big question will be how he makes it fit over the 12 months, but from Rob Key’s point of view, he needs to make the job attractive. The option is not to have someone come in and let them grow in the job. You’re talking about winning World Cups and winning Champions trophies.”
“This is not an opportunity for a young guy to come in. You want the best person on the planet to come in and help Jos Buttler and the England cricket team get better,” said Morgan.
McCullum had a strong bond with captain Ben Stokes which resulted in victory of 17 matches out of 25 in the format while losing eight matches and drawing one.
“I’m not sure McCullum has been given a lot of thought and if anything he should. Key should have that conversation because we’ve seen a dramatic turnaround in the England Test team and the foil that he’s made with Stokes.”
“I’ve played under Brendon as a coach. We’ve seen what he’s done in New Zealand cricket over the years and the success that he’s had. He’s a very versatile, more than capable coach who is highly, highly regarded, who ultimately has made the England Test team a better side, which is what you want from your head coach,” added Morgan.
According to reports, Morgan’s name has been in talks for England’s White-ball coach job, but he has denied the talks saying, “I’ve been asked a lot over the last couple of months about the role and whether I would take it on. My answer has simply been, that the timing for everything in my life at the moment is not right.”
“Yes, I want to coach down the line, but I’ve got a young family and I spend a lot more time at home. I’m loving what I’m doing, watching cricket through this (commentating),” he concluded.
Rahul Dravid said that he would be able to move on from the win and funnily commented he would be unemployed after leaving the job. The former Indian coach said he is hoping to move on after the win.
“I will be able to move on quickly from this win, next week I will be unemployed (laughs). I don’t want to think too far ahead, but yes, I hope, I will be able to move on. I think that’s what life is all about,” said Rahul Dravid.
