After “open and honest discussions” with the management of the Chennai Super Kings, who had missed the playoffs for the previous three seasons, the five-time IPL winners announced their decision to fire longtime head coach Stephen Fleming on Monday.
Before taking over as head coach in 2009, Fleming played for the squad during the IPL’s debut season in 2008.
“Eighteen years is a lifetime in sport, and I leave with nothing but gratitude. My time with Chennai Super Kings has been the privilege of my coaching career. I am proud of everything we have achieved,” Fleming said in a statement issued by the franchise.
“Together, we celebrated unforgettable victories, overcame difficult moments, and built memories that will stay with me forever. CSK will always be close to my heart, and I will be cheering the team on for years to come,” he added.
The decision was made with “respect and gratitude, following a series of open and honest discussions” between Fleming and the team management, according to the CSK.
Following his appointment as head coach in 2009, Fleming led the side to five championships and had a legendary partnership with Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was captain at the time.
A couple of Champions League Twenty20 titles were also won by the team. It participated in ten finals and made a record 12 appearances in the IPL playoffs.
But for the last three years, the team has been in a downward spiral and has failed to qualify for the playoffs. Critics frequently point to their inflexible over-reliance on over-the-hill players and the Dhoni factor.
This year, the mystery surrounding Dhoni’s injury became a big talking topic and a source of disruption, and Fleming has found it difficult to explain the team’s decline.
Rupa Gurunath, the franchise owner, praised Fleming’s contribution and called him the “heartbeat” of the team’s coaching setup.
“Stephen Fleming has been the heartbeat of our coaching unit for almost the entire journey of this franchise. For nearly two decades, he has helped shape our identity, vision, and pursuit of excellence,” she said.
“On behalf of everyone at the Super Kings franchise, we extend our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment, passion, and leadership. While our journey together on the field comes to a close, he will always remain an integral part of the team.”
According to Chennai Super Kings Managing Director Kashi Viswanathan, Fleming contributed to the development of a culture based on humility and consistency as well as how CSK played.
“His ability to understand people and bring out the best from individuals across the team has been one of his greatest strengths. His influence extends far beyond the boundary, and we are proud to have shared this remarkable journey together,” he said.
