Who could be England's new coach?
Interviews for the England head coach role start this week. Here ESPNcricinfo ssesses each candidate's chances
George Dobell
04-Apr-2014
Set for a comeback? Peter Moores has had one crack as England coach, he may get another • Getty Images
Ashley Giles (age 41)
The current limited-overs coach was the overwhelming favourite for the role after leading England within an ace of the Champions Trophy in the summer of 2013. But a dismal winter that culminated in 'that' loss against Netherlands might prove a killer blow to his chances and it might prove difficult, in PR terms at least, for the ECB to give the role to someone who may already have lost the faith of many of the cricket-watching public. And, if the comments of Michael Carberry are to be taken at face value, some of the dressing room. There are mitigating circumstances - not least the fact that Giles has rarely had a full-strength team at his disposal - but his role as a selector hardly absolves him of blame. The fact that his relationship with Andy Flower deteriorated may not help - Flower, unofficially at least, remains influential - but the ECB have invested a lot of time in Giles and will be loathe to spurn a man who, as a successful England cricketer, Championship-winning county coach and experienced leader, ticks many of the boxes required.
The current limited-overs coach was the overwhelming favourite for the role after leading England within an ace of the Champions Trophy in the summer of 2013. But a dismal winter that culminated in 'that' loss against Netherlands might prove a killer blow to his chances and it might prove difficult, in PR terms at least, for the ECB to give the role to someone who may already have lost the faith of many of the cricket-watching public. And, if the comments of Michael Carberry are to be taken at face value, some of the dressing room. There are mitigating circumstances - not least the fact that Giles has rarely had a full-strength team at his disposal - but his role as a selector hardly absolves him of blame. The fact that his relationship with Andy Flower deteriorated may not help - Flower, unofficially at least, remains influential - but the ECB have invested a lot of time in Giles and will be loathe to spurn a man who, as a successful England cricketer, Championship-winning county coach and experienced leader, ticks many of the boxes required.
Peter Moores (51)
While Moores' previous spell as England coach (2007-2008) ended in premature sacking, he was responsible for putting in place many of the building blocks that led to the side's subsequent success. It was Moores who established Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Graeme Swann as the trio of key bowlers and Moores who earmarked Matt Prior as the keeper. A highly-experienced coach who has won the County Championship at two counties - Sussex and Lancashire - he is highly-rated by Flower and has an excellent reputation as a man-manager. He is the only cricket coach on UK Sport's elite coaching development programme, where he shares his experiences with leading coaches from other sports, and might be considered a wiser man for his experience in the job first time around.
While Moores' previous spell as England coach (2007-2008) ended in premature sacking, he was responsible for putting in place many of the building blocks that led to the side's subsequent success. It was Moores who established Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Graeme Swann as the trio of key bowlers and Moores who earmarked Matt Prior as the keeper. A highly-experienced coach who has won the County Championship at two counties - Sussex and Lancashire - he is highly-rated by Flower and has an excellent reputation as a man-manager. He is the only cricket coach on UK Sport's elite coaching development programme, where he shares his experiences with leading coaches from other sports, and might be considered a wiser man for his experience in the job first time around.
Mark Robinson (47)
The current Sussex head coach is an intriguing candidate who might combine the desire for some sort of continuity without bringing any of the baggage of some of the other contenders. He is, in terms of trophies won, the most successful of the candidates having won six senior trophies - including the Championship twice - since his appointment at the end of 2005. He has a reputation as a calm and benevolent man-manager with an ability to instil a unified team spirit on a disparate group of individuals. He has earned good reviews for his performance on England Lions and Under-19 tours and has to be considered a serious possibility for the role.
The current Sussex head coach is an intriguing candidate who might combine the desire for some sort of continuity without bringing any of the baggage of some of the other contenders. He is, in terms of trophies won, the most successful of the candidates having won six senior trophies - including the Championship twice - since his appointment at the end of 2005. He has a reputation as a calm and benevolent man-manager with an ability to instil a unified team spirit on a disparate group of individuals. He has earned good reviews for his performance on England Lions and Under-19 tours and has to be considered a serious possibility for the role.
Mick Newell (49)
The longest-serving coach in the County Championship, Newell has enjoyed a sustained period of success at Nottinghamshire since his appointment in 2002. He oversaw his team winning the County Championship trophy in 2005 and 2010 and the YB40 trophy in 2013. More of an England-style manager than a coach, he has also overseen the development of players such as Alex Hales and Samit Patel and recruited the likes of Swann, Broad and James Taylor to the club. He has experience of coaching England Under-19 and Lions tours, but drew mixed reviews from within the ECB for his performance and, as a consequence, has to be considered an outsider for the role.
The longest-serving coach in the County Championship, Newell has enjoyed a sustained period of success at Nottinghamshire since his appointment in 2002. He oversaw his team winning the County Championship trophy in 2005 and 2010 and the YB40 trophy in 2013. More of an England-style manager than a coach, he has also overseen the development of players such as Alex Hales and Samit Patel and recruited the likes of Swann, Broad and James Taylor to the club. He has experience of coaching England Under-19 and Lions tours, but drew mixed reviews from within the ECB for his performance and, as a consequence, has to be considered an outsider for the role.
Trevor Bayliss (51)
Being the only non-Englishman on the list might be considered Bayliss' greatest strength and greatest weakness. While the ECB are thought to prefer an Englishman for the role, there is also an acceptance that a fresh mind could be valuable. Bayliss certainly has a strong track-record: he coached Sri Lanka for four years - they reached the 2011 World Cup final under him - and recently coached New South Wales to the Sheffield Shield title. He also oversaw Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL victory in 2012 and remains their coach at present. Whether England are prepared to appoint an Australian remains debatable, however, and Bayliss, too, must be considered an outsider.
Being the only non-Englishman on the list might be considered Bayliss' greatest strength and greatest weakness. While the ECB are thought to prefer an Englishman for the role, there is also an acceptance that a fresh mind could be valuable. Bayliss certainly has a strong track-record: he coached Sri Lanka for four years - they reached the 2011 World Cup final under him - and recently coached New South Wales to the Sheffield Shield title. He also oversaw Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL victory in 2012 and remains their coach at present. Whether England are prepared to appoint an Australian remains debatable, however, and Bayliss, too, must be considered an outsider.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo