Thursday 5 March 2026 18:46, UK
Brendon McCullum said he would love to remain England head coach after the team’s exit from the T20 World Cup, reflecting on a winter that mixed highs and lows across Test and white-ball formats.
McCullum, who led England through a campaign that included high expectations in the shorter format and a busy Test schedule, described the World Cup departure as profoundly disappointing but stopped short of making any definitive statements about his future. He praised the players’ commitment and effort, and said the experience would be used to learn and rebuild.
“I would love to stay on,” McCullum said, acknowledging the emotional and professional investment he and his staff have made. He also stressed that decisions about coaching appointments and the next steps rest with the England and Wales Cricket Board and that he would respect whatever process unfolds.
Across the winter, McCullum reflected, England produced moments of real promise alongside inconsistency. He highlighted positives from the Test programme while admitting the white-ball outcomes fell short of the team’s ambitions. McCullum reiterated his belief in the wider project he has been part of and in the need to maintain a culture that encourages bold cricket.
Support staff and senior players have already begun internal reviews, he said, which will feed into any formal assessment by the ECB. McCullum expressed optimism about the talent in the squad and the potential to regroup ahead of future international schedules.
While the T20 World Cup exit leaves questions about immediate direction, McCullum’s clear desire to continue offers continuity if the board chooses to keep him in post. The coming weeks will determine whether that mutual wish aligns with the ECB’s plans.