Jason Gillespie swaps chaos of coaching Pakistan for possible career in mainstream media

Jason Gillespie has escaped the vipers nest that is Pakistan cricket and is likely to take a break from head coaching. In fact, he is close to locking down a surprising new career move.

Jason Gillespie has swapped the “chaos’’ of coaching Pakistan for the soothing solitude of Brisbane suburbia and will soon have another career switch on his radar.

Former Test fast bowling star turned coach Gillespie has just completed a two-match stint as assistant coach of the Cricket Australia XI which played two matches against Andrew Flintoff’s English Lions before a handful of fans at Brisbane’s Ian Healy and Allan Border Ovals.

It was a hot and sweaty yet somehow soothing contrast to the viciously volatile world of Pakistan cricket Gillespie occupied before his recent resignation as that nation’s head coach after a tumultuous period in which they had 26 different selectors in two years.

Jason Gillespie’s successful tenure as coach of Pakistan ended acrimoniously in 2024. Picture: Asif HASSAN / AFP

Gillespie, who did well to lead Pakistan to a Test series win over England and a 50 over series win over Australia in extremely difficult circumstances, has not written off getting back into coaching, particularly a short term franchise role.

But in the short term he seems set to swap the clipboard for a microphone.

Gillespie is keen to move into mainstream media where his up-to-the-minute views have caught the attention of one radio broadcaster who is in negotiations with him about his future.

“It is nice to be home and it has been a good change of pace being an assistant coach in a bit more of a relaxed environment working with some up and coming players. It’s been great,’’ Gillespie said.

“I really enjoyed working with the players in Pakistan too but it was all the other nonsense that was tough.

“It certainly took a bit of shine of coaching for me to be honest – I feel out of love with it a bit. Just the absolute and complete lack of communication. I found that incredibly frustrating.

“You put plans in place. You get sold the dream and are told you will get time to put your own plans in place.

Jason Gillespie is hoping to get into the media as his next career move. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“Then you lose a game and all of a sudden everything changes. From when I signed up to the end my role had completely changed basically without any communication.

“I spoke to one player who was left out of the squad without and explanation and told him I felt for him but he laughed and said “this is Pakistan cricket. We are used to it.’ It was actually quite sad.’’

After five years coaching the South Australian Sheffield Shield team and nine seasons with the Adelaide Strikers, Gillespie looks ready for a fresh challenge and is unsure whether he will coach again.

“You never say never. Right now I will certainly look at short term opportunities like franchise cricket but to go into a fulltime position like I was in is not on my radar. I am hoping to get into the media.’’