Justin Langer resigns as Australia head coach

After rejecting a six-month extension to his deal, Langer has decided to step away ahead of his contract coming to an end in June. Andrew McDonald has been placed in temporary charge

Justin Langer has stepped down as Australia men’s head coach with immediate effect.

His nearly four years in charge of the men’s team came to an end after he rejected a six-month extension to a contract that was due to expire in June.

Langer had been installed in May 2018 in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal and sought to rebuild the public image of the team.

His spell in charge was hugely successful. Australia retained the Ashes in England during the summer of 2019 and then beat Joe Root's side 4-0 on home soil in the recently concluded series.

Prior to drubbing the old enemy, he helped guide the side to a maiden men's T20 World Cup triumph thanks to victory over neighbours New Zealand in the final.

Despite the success, Langer's position was regularly under scrutiny amid reports some players were averse to his hard-line style of management.

It was those concerns that reportedly led to Cricket Australia being unwilling to hand him a long-term contract to stay on, eventually offering a short-term extension to his current deal that he ultimately declined.

A statement via his management company read: “DSEG confirms that our client Justin Langer has this morning tendered his resignation as coach of the Australian men's cricket team.

^{Langer oversaw several successes - including a 4-0 Ashes series win against England this summer (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)}

"The resignation follows a meeting with Cricket Australia last evening. The resignation is effective immediately.”

Cricket Australia Chief executive Nick Hockley added: “The contract extension offered to Justin was the result of a thorough review process that evaluated many factors including future requirements of the team and the upcoming extensive schedule of fixtures.

"It included the opportunity to defend the T20 World Cup title in Australia at the end of this year.

"We are naturally disappointed Justin has decided against continuing as coach, but we respect his decision and wish him all the best in the future.”

Assistant Andrew McDonald has been appointed as interim head coach ahead of the five-match Sri Lanka T20I series that starts on February 11 in Sydney.

The team are then due in Pakistan for a two-Test series in March.

Langer, meanwhile, could now become a wanted man. Andrew Strauss, England's interim managing director, has wasted little time singling out the former Aussie opener - who played 105 Tests and eight ODIs during a stellar playing career - as a possible successor to Chris Silverwood.

He said: “Now let's take a step back. What are we looking for? Are we looking for split coaches or one coach? And what are the requirements in each of those formats, so to speak, and Justin Langer. I know him well.

"On the surface, he's done a very good job of that with the Australian team. So I wouldn't rule him out, but I'm sure there are plenty of others as well.”

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