REVEALED: Justin Langer’s new coaching gig after the former Australian mentor vowed that he would never coach again following bitter split
- Lucrative offer makes him change his mind
- Will be reunited with some Aussie players
- He still believes his best coaching years are ahead
Controversial former Australian cricket coach Justin Langer has gone back on his word made a year ago about ever coaching again and has signed with the Indian Premier League’s Lucknow Super Giants.
Langer, 52, will take over the coaching and replaces former England coach Andy Flower at the helm of the IPL franchise.
The former Australian opener left his Australian role last year, just months after coaching Australia to T20 World Cup and Ashes glory.
Losing the locker room was considered the main reason following repeated angry outbursts.
Langer parted ways with Cricket Australia (CA) after he was offered a tiny contract to remain in charge only until the end of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Former Australian cricket coach and former Aussie opening batter Justin Langer (pictured) once said ‘never again’ to coaching but the Indian rupees have changed his mind
At the time he wanted a long-term deal which he thought he deserved following an Ashes series win, a drawn series in England and a Twenty20 World Cup.
When he declined the relatively insulting CA offer, his emotions at the time led him to say he’d never coach again.
But, it really does seem that time heals all wounds as he now packs his bags and heads to India.
At the time of the poor CA offer, Langer was interviewed and said: ‘I don’t think I’ll coach again. No, I don’t think I’ll coach again,’ he repeated when on the Cricket Etc podcast with The Australian cricket writers Peter Lalor and Gideon Haigh.
‘The craziness is – and it’s really strange in cricket – if you think about a lot of the other codes, the best coaches are a lot older. It doesn’t make sense in cricket.
‘I say I’m not going to coach again, but I reckon I’m 10 years off being the best coach I could be.’
Well, he’s not quite 10 years away from those comments but he’s having another crack.
To keep himself busy during his time away from helming Australia, the gritty West Australian former opening batsman remained involved in cricket via the media, including colour commentating for Channel Seven.
Aussie basher Marcus Stoinis is a star attraction for Lucknow and Langer will reunite with him
England quick Mark Wood in action for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL earlier this year
In India he will be reunited with Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, one of Lucknow’s star players.
‘Lucknow Super Giants are on the journey of building a great story in the IPL. We all have a role to play in that journey and I am excited to be a part of the team moving forward,’ Langer said.
Lucknow is a new side in the IPL and the team has surprised many by making the playoffs in its first two seasons.
In the Lucknow lineup in 2023 was England’s speed demon Mark Wood, who was sidelined for the opening two Ashes Tests, but who earned Player of the Match honours for his blistering 5-34 during the first innings in the third Test in Leeds.
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