Brendon McCullum has resigned as head coach of England’s Test team but will continue to oversee the country’s white-ball setup the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Sunday.
Under the former captain of New Zealand, England has lost 7 of its last 9 Test matches.
This includes a devastating 1-4 Ashes loss in Australia in 2025–2026 and a 1-2 home loss to New Zealand this month, both of which were marred by accusations of a squad drinking culture.
“I’ve absolutely loved coaching the Test side and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together,” said McCullum in an ECB statement, adding: “Of course I’m gutted not to be continuing, but I respect the decision.”
Midway through what ended up being a devastating loss in the third and final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge—the last game of McCullum’s red-ball reign—former England captain Ben Stokes declared his retirement from international cricket.
Before an exciting 2-2 home Ashes in 2023, Stokes led England to 3-0 series victories over New Zealand and in Pakistan, when 500 runs were made in a single day. His stint as Test manager began in spectacular manner, with particularly aggressive batting.
However, two years ago, a devastating 1-4 defeat in India revealed the limitations of England’s “one size fits all approach” as they were unable to just smash their way out of difficulty. When England lost the Ashes series in Australia in just 11 days of cricket, McCullum knew it was over.
Following a successful start to the New Zealand series, Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson were left out of the second Test due to new off-field issues. Atkinson had broken a midnight team curfew in a London club. In preparation for the series against Pakistan at home next month, England is now searching for a new Test coach and captain.
“Brendon breathed new life into England men’s Test team during an exciting period which saw some amazing victories and we’re grateful for all he has given to the role,” said ECB chief executive Richard Gould.
“We now believe that the time is right to make a change for the Test team as we target victory in the Ashes (in England) next summer (2027).
The only member of the former Test leadership trio, which also featured Stokes and McCullum, is England managing director Rob Key, who has received harsh criticism for England’s lack of preparation before the Ashes.
However, the former England batsman claimed that McCullum had left the red-ball team “well-set and poised to achieve great things” after leading 25 of his 44 Test matches.
The announcement was made on Sunday, the day after England’s white-ball team defeated India by 56 runs in Southampton to sweep the T20 world champions 4-0 under McCullum.
“My focus now is on giving everything I’ve got to the white-ball teams and helping England keep moving forward,” said McCullum, 44, who took on the role of England white-ball coach in 2024.
“I wish the Test team nothing but success. There’s a hell of a lot of talent in that dressing room and they’re a special bunch of lads.”
Andy Flower has been called for a second term as England’s coach, while former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been mentioned as a potential candidate.
From 2009 to 2014, Flower coached England, leading three successful Ashes campaigns, including their final away victory in 2010–11.
