‘England could bring back Flower as coach’ - Pietersen floats a wild idea after Ashes debacle

Published - 09 Jan 2026, 22:24 IST | Updated - 09 Jan 2026, 22:28 IST

Kevin Pietersen has suggested that England consider bringing back former head coach Andy Flower to replace Brendon McCullum following their disappointing Ashes 2025-26 campaign. McCullum’s future has come under scrutiny after England suffered a heavy 1-4 series defeat in Australia.

With the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launching a comprehensive review of the team’s performance, the futures of both McCullum and captain Ben Stokes appear uncertain. Stokes himself has hinted that the much-talked-about ‘Bazball’ approach may have run its course, which could prompt the ECB to explore alternative leadership options for the red-ball setup.

Pietersen described the idea of Flower’s return as a wild thought but believes it could be a viable option. He stated that the former Zimbabwe captain has evolved significantly as a coach, now possessing a strong understanding of the modern-day cricketer while maintaining a deep grasp of Test cricket.

Pietersen had a strained relationship with Flower during their time together with the England team, but suggested that several players have since told him that the current Royal Challengers Bengaluru coach is a changed person and well-equipped to handle today’s dressing-room dynamics.

"This is a WILD thought. I reckon one of my wildest. Can England bring back Andy Flower now that he’s changed and in line with the modern-day player? He gets Test Cricket. I’ve been told by many players that he’s changed his ways since our drama. He’s winning leagues so really does get the modern day player. VERY IMPORTANT! Wild, I know! Thoughts?," wrote Pietersen on X.

This is a WILD thought. I reckon one of my wildest. Can England bring back Andy Flower now that he’s changed and in line with the modern day player? He gets Test Cricket. I’ve been told by many players that he’s changed his ways since our drama. He’s winning leagues so…

McCullum open to adjustments as ECB begins Ashes review

Flower enjoyed a highly successful stint as England head coach, most notably guiding the team to a famous 3-1 Ashes victory in Australia during the 2010-11 series. Under his leadership, England also recorded a historic Test series win in India and went on to claim the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2010, their first-ever world title in the format.

Flower’s tenure as England coach came to an end in 2014, after which he established himself as one of the most respected coaches in franchise cricket. He has enjoyed considerable success across global T20 leagues, including leading Multan Sultans to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in 2021. More recently, Flower guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. In addition to these achievements, he has also coached teams in the ILT20 and T10 leagues.