"I’m happy to be governed by results and be in the gun if things don’t work out"- Brendon McCullum on taking over as England's white-ball coach
England's Test head coach Brendon McCullum stated his readiness to be judged by results once he takes over as the side's white-ball head coach from the start of the next year. McCullum has been England's Test head coach since mid-2022, leading the side to excellent results in the long format over the last two years.
The former New Zealand captain will oversee all three England sides as head coach until 2027 end.
At the press conference on the eve of England's third Test against Sri Lanka at the Oval, McCullum said:
"It’s going to be an added workload that’s for sure, but some bets are worth it, right? I’m happy to be governed by results and be in the gun if things don’t work out. There’s opportunities for other coaches to step up and run the team, just like Trescothick against Australia."
He added:
"A couple of years ago I didn’t have a whole lot of knowledge about English cricket, relationships. But fast forward two years and I’ve had a great time, I absolutely love being in the position I am in. I have a lot more knowledge about the talent that sits in English cricket. Ultimately I looked at the opportunity and thought what a great chance to have a good crack."
England have lost only the lone series to India earlier this year since McCullum took over as the Test head coach.
Meanwhile, Marcus Trescothick will continue as their interim white-ball head coach for the remainder of this year.
"The last two years would have been impossible, hence we went down the split coaches route" - Brendon McCullum
![Matthew Mott coached the England white-ball sides over the past couple of years [Credit: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/2ccad-17255415405174-1920.jpg?w=500)
Brendon McCullum feels the international schedule easing out compared to the past two years has resulted in England moving away from a split-coaching philosophy that saw Matthew Mott take over as the white-ball head coach in mid-2022.
Mott helped England win the 2022 T20 World Cup but the side has endured below-par results in the last two ICC events - 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Cups, leading to him parting ways.
"I think if we look at the schedule, it is easing. The last two years would have been impossible, hence we went down the split coaches route. Now with it easing - I say slightly - it can have one person in the role. We’ll have to be smart with stepping (down) players and support staff, including myself, but I don’t see it being a problem," said McCullum.
McCullum's first assignment as England's white-ball head coach will be the tour of India in January 2025.