Marcus Trescothick has revealed his desire to become England’s head coach permanently after learning to manage his mental health problems.
The former England batter is serving as the men’s white-ball interim head coach during the West Indies tour before Brendon McCullum steps up from his test role to take charge of all formats from January.
“Previously I thought I wanted to be a head coach, but taking the reins for the two series against Australia and here versus the West Indies has confirmed to me that I would like the opportunity to do it at some point,” told Marcus Trescothick.
While asked about what has changed, Trescothick said, “You find methods of understanding and then coping, and then gradually working more and more with therapists I have been able to get to a point where I have been able to say:
‘OK, we’ve done that trip, what’s the stepping stone to doing the next one, and then that one and the one after that?’ I knew opportunities post-playing would mean more travelling. The coach that I want to be involves that.
Managing director of cricket, Rob Key, said that the long term goal wwas to have England coach in charge of men’s senior teams.
“We are trying to revamp coach development. In English sports, because of a lack of options, you go for the best coach and often that is an overseas coach. We want it to be an English coach.
“Actually Baz [McCullum] is the greatest form of coach education because Marcus Trescothick, [the spin bowling coach] Jeetan Patel and [the assistant coach] Paul Collingwood have developed more by working with him than through any coaching course.”
Meanwhile Jimmy Anderson is another who has worked in the setup as a fast bowling mentor after being forced to retire by Key said that England “had to move on” from their record wicket-taker but hailed him as “brilliant” in his coaching role.
Rob Key also spoke about Jofra Archer and hoped to become one of England’s “best bowler of all time.
“He’s got the potential to be one of our best-ever bowlers and until someone from the medical team tells me otherwise that’s what you strive for. He’s not had a setback in six months. We’re all happy.”
“Everything is going exactly to plan for Jofra. Can he play Tests next summer? With all my fingers crossed, yes.”
