England want new coach before Pakistan - who could it be?

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is actively searching for a successor to Brendon McCullum as Test head coach, with the goal of having the new appointment in place for the upcoming series against Pakistan in August. McCullum's tenure ended after a disappointing run of seven defeats in the last nine Tests.

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It will be a targeted selection process. We often do a lot of work in terms of planning as to succession - I will always keep a shortlist going of coaches and various other positions and in truth, this position is probably one where the shortlist is no more than six to 10 names globally of a diverse nature.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated that the selection process will be targeted, involving a shortlist of six to 10 diverse candidates globally. "This position is probably one where the shortlist is no more than six to 10 names globally of a diverse nature," Gould told BBC Sport. Conversations are set to begin immediately, with Rob Key, the managing director of men's cricket, leading the process.

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In terms of conversations, they will start to happen now and [managing director of men's cricket] Rob Key will be leading on those.

Significantly, the ECB will first appoint the new head coach. This individual will then collaborate with Key and national selector Marcus North to choose the next Test captain, a role currently vacant following Ben Stokes' retirement. The new coach will also need to work alongside McCullum, who remains in charge of the white-ball teams, to navigate a complex cricket calendar filled with international and franchise commitments.

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It's going to have to be an individual that complements the skillsets we've got in the players and can bring the very best out of them.

While England's recent Test team has adopted an aggressive style under McCullum, Gould indicated that the new coach doesn't necessarily need to replicate this approach. "It's going to have to be an individual that complements the skillsets we've got in the players and can bring the very best out of them," he said. Gould acknowledged that securing a preferred candidate might require an interim solution if top choices have existing commitments, but emphasized the board's commitment to making the best long-term decision.

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An interim solution could be in place if it allows us to get to the best possible decision later on down the line.