Ben Stokes wants to coach England. The former Test captain confirmed his long-term ambition on the For the Love of Cricket podcast, saying he is already completing his Level 3 coaching qualification while still playing county cricket for Durham.
“I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely. I just really like the idea of being in some form of leadership away from playing.”
Ben Stokes, For the Love of Cricket podcast, August 2026
Stokes, 35, retired from international cricket during the third Test against New Zealand in June after a 2-1 series defeat. He had been dropped for the second Test after he and Gus Atkinson broke a team curfew at a London nightclub following the first match. He said his four-year captaincy left him exhausted and ruled out any comeback, including for the 2027 home Ashes. Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, said last week he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Stokes reversed his decision, but Stokes was clear: if he plays for England again, it would only be as captain, and that is not happening.
This is not a vague ambition either. Stokes has already been coaching. He worked alongside Flintoff with the Lions and at Northern Superchargers in the Hundred. He is completing his Level 3 qualification now, deliberately, so that everything is “signed off and done” before he stops playing.
🚨 Ben Stokes Picks the Best in Cricket During a Rapid-Fire Round🚨
Toughest batter to bowl to in Test cricket?
🗣️ Virat KohliBest young talent in world cricket?
🗣️ Jacob BethellFavourite innings of your career?
🗣️ 139 vs Australia at HeadingleyBest cover drive in world… pic.twitter.com/SwMCJ3bEd6
— Central Cricket (@arshdeep3444) August 4, 2026
Insider Read:
Stokes’ captaincy was built on one principle: give players freedom and back them publicly even when they fail. That is what made Bazball electrifying in its first 18 months. Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett all played shots under Stokes that they would not have attempted under any other captain because they knew failure carried no consequence from the dressing room. That approach produced results against India, South Africa, and New Zealand at home.
But it also produced seven losses in nine Tests when conditions or opposition quality demanded adjustment. The philosophy did not come with a correction mechanism. When the aggressive approach stopped working, there was no fallback. Stokes did not adapt the method. He trusted it until the team lost around him. As a coach, that same instinct, backing players unconditionally, could be his greatest strength in building confidence and culture. But international coaching requires a second gear. The best coaches know when to pull the reins, not just when to let go. Whether Stokes develops that flexibility will decide if his coaching career matches the impact of his playing career.
Why Stokes believes Brook deserved the captaincy
Stokes also questioned why Harry Brook was overlooked for the Test captaincy after his retirement. Joe Root was reappointed instead, despite Brook serving as vice-captain.
“If you think someone’s going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them it. He’s vice-captain. And then the captain is not playing, but he’s not captain. What? I had no leadership or captaincy experience when I took over.”
Ben Stokes, For the Love of Cricket podcast, August 2026
Ben Stokes Breaks Silence on His Relationship With Rob Key
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” I think initially, with the incident, we were in contact every one or two days. Then obviously I got back into the team and started playing again, and then it just sort of… you know, it is how it is. And now,… pic.twitter.com/fFJPJtPsU0— OldMonkofCricket (@OldMonkOfCric) August 4, 2026
Brook’s own nightclub incident in New Zealand, hours before leading England in an ODI, continues to weigh against him in the ECB’s decision-making. Root now begins a second stint as captain alongside new Test coach Stephen Fleming.
Stokes also revealed that his retirement triggered McCullum’s exit. He said he was “surprised” when McCullum told him he had been “given the tap on the shoulder.”
“If I hadn’t made the decision that I made four weeks ago, Baz would still be coach. So it’s my fault!”
Ben Stokes, For the Love of Cricket podcast, August 2026
McCullum remains in charge of England’s white-ball setup. The England coaching pipeline now runs Fleming as Test coach, Flintoff with the Lions, and Stokes completing his qualifications on the outside. Three former players, three different temperaments, all moving through the system at different speeds.
Sources:
[For the Love of Cricket podcast, August 2026] Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (YouTube)
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- Alastair Cook England Feels Mess
- Andy Flower England Test Coach Part Time
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- ICC ECB Stokes Dressing Room
