‘Effective immediately: Australian coach Justin Langer resigns after contract saga

After months of speculation about his contract, Justin Langer has resigned as coach of the Australian men’s cricket team.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 14: Justin Langer Head Coach of Australia is seen during an England Ashes squad nets session at Blundstone Arena on January 14, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

After months of speculation, Justin Langer has resigned as coach of the Australian men’s cricket team.

Langer’s four-year coaching contract was set to expire in June, and there was mounting speculation as to whether the 51-year-old would be granted another multi-year deal due to ongoing player dissatisfaction.

On Friday, the Cricket Australia board met to discuss Langer’s contract, confirming they would enter “confidential discussions” with the former Australian opener to ensure an outcome “as soon as possible”.

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But on Saturday morning, The Australian’s Peter Lalor first reported that Langer had called it quits following Australia’s 4-0 Ashes triumph.

Soon after, Langer’s management confirmed that Langer had tendered his resignation.

“The resignation follows a meeting with Cricket Australia last evening,” a DSEG statement read. “The resignation is effective immediately.”

According to Lalor, CA offered Langer a short-term extension, but the West Australian turned it down.

Assistant coach Andrew McDonald is expected to take over as caretaker coach ahead of next month’s Pakistan tour.

Langer’s manager James Henderson tweeted: “As a player Justin retired on top after a 5-0 Ashes whitewash. Today, despite the views of a faceless few, he finishes his time as Australian cricket coach winning the T20 World Cup and the Ashes. Lest we forget what JL took over in 2018.”

Justin Langer went public with his resignation on social media (via his management company) before telling cricket Australia. Tells you something about the extent to which relations had completely broken down. @abcnews@abcsport

— David Mark (@davymark1) February 5, 2022

JL is an idiosyncratic fella but on his watch the Australian team moved from sandpaper shame to pride & winning performance. He deserves his share of credit for that & a hell of a lot more respect than the cold shoulder from @CricketAus.#JustinLanger#testcricket#Ashes

— steve taylor (@thatstevetaylor) February 5, 2022

Langer replaced Darren Lehmann as national men’s coach following the Cape Town ball-tampering saga of March 2018.

He was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame last week, but a previous breakdown in relationship with senior players was tarnishing his stint as national coach.

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

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

Australia won its maiden T20 World Cup title in November before retaining the Ashes with a comprehensive 4-0 series victory over England.

Former Australian men’s coach Justin Langer. Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images for the Australian Cricketers' Association

On Thursday, Australian men’s Test captain Pat Cummins refused to endorse Langer as coach.

“It’s in Cricket Australia’s hands,” he said when asked if he wanted Langer in charge.

“JLs been doing a fantastic job, he’s been there for four years, his contract is obviously up soon, they’re just going through an evaluation process at the moment, which I think is fair, the right thing to do. We all get evaluated all the time as cricketers. It’s part of a high-performance environment.

“That process is happening, it’s a decision for Cricket Australia and we just have to wait.”

Langer will fly back home to Perth for the first time in six months on Saturday.

He won 15 of his 27 Tests as Australian men’s coach since taking charge in 2018.

More to come …