Justin Langer’s future as Australian coach in jeopardy after meltdown

Langer, whose four-year coaching contract expires in June, suggested he wasn’t “on edge” about his position amid rumblings he still doesn’t have the full support of players or senior management. He expected his future to be sorted following planned talks with Cricket Australia.

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But on Monday evening, reports emerged that Langer had been informed he might need to reapply for his job, much to the West Australian’s dismay.

Foxsports.com.au reported that Langer reacted angrily when the possibility of him reapplying for the coaching role was raised by CA chief executive Nick Hockley and head of performance Ben Oliver during a heated meeting on Friday morning.

According to the News Corp report, Langer is refusing to accept anything less than a full contract renewal, arguing his record warrants another multi-year deal.

The CA board is reportedly uncertain over Langer’s reappointment.

“Justin is contracted as Head Coach through to the middle of this year and we have consistently maintained discussions around the future of the role would commence following the conclusion of the men’s Ashes Series,” a CA spokesman said.

“We have no comment about those confidential discussions.”

Langer took over from Darren Lehmann as Australia’s head coach in 2018 following the Cape Town ball-tampering saga.

In 2019, he and newly-elected Test captain Tim Paine helped Australia retain the Ashes in England for the first time in 18 years.

But after losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on home soil twice in three years, reports emerged that Langer’s intensity was wearing thin with the players.

Leaks emerged from the dressing room about their unhappiness with his coaching style and the cracks remained during horror white-ball tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh last year.

A crisis meeting between CA chiefs and senior players was needed to address the issues between players and coach, sparking suggestions Langer was in danger of not having his contract renewed.

The former Australian Test opener has since taken a step back and delegated more responsibility to his support staff, which has seemingly helped improve the team’s performance.

Over the past couple of months, Australia has claimed its maiden T20 World Cup title and comprehensively won a home Ashes series 4-0.

However, Australian Test captain Pat Cummins failed to publicly endorse Langer as coach after retaining the urn.

“I think we’ll sit down all together after this series, or whenever his tenure is up and his contract is up for renewal, in a few months we’ll visit that then,” Cummins said when asked about Langer’s position.

“(Langer) has been great. He’s certainly still head coach, but I think the environment that he creates not only for the players, but the coaches around him, really empowers them.

“You’ve seen (batting coach) Michael Di Venuto really take charge of the batting, (assistant coach) Andrew McDonald take charge of the bowling. It’s just really good, clear roles for everyone in the team.

“It’s in some ways taking a step back and letting the players really dictate the environment they want.

“It worked incredibly well over in the World Cup, and he has huge credit to do with that, and hopefully it continues for this summer. He’s been great so far.”

Last month, Oliver flagged that players would be among those consulted on whether Langer should have his contract renewed.

Langer, who has received strong backing from a raft of former Australian cricket greats, recently suggested Australia’s on-field successes should count for something.

“Imagine if a Wallabies coach won the Bledisloe Cup and then the World Cup in six months,” he told 6PR last week.

“That’s the frustration of it. I wish I could tell you (why there is external noise). That’s the truth. I can only be judged on where Australian cricket was when I took over.”

On Thursday, Langer was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame – he represented Australia in 105 Tests, scoring 7696 runs and 23 centuries.

“Justin’s record as a player speaks for itself,” Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

“His record as an opener underpinned one of the most successful eras of Australian cricket. And his influence on the game has extended beyond his playing career – firstly through his commitment to the betterment of Western Australian cricket which is almost unparalleled, right through to the national team set-up which has convincingly held the Ashes on the back of winning the T20 World Cup for the first time.”

– with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Justin Langer’s future as Australian coach in jeopardy after meltdown