Morgan says England head coach aspirations ‘far-fetched’

Eoin Morgan has described the idea that he should replace Matthew Mott as England’s white-ball coach ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup as “a bit far-fetched” and said that Mott should get a chance to set things straight in next year’s tournament.

Morgan, who captained England to their first men’s ODI World Cup in 2019, has been working on the 2023 tournament as a broadcaster, either side of a trip home for the birth of his child. Since returning to India last week, he has been highly critical of England’s performance, which left them on the brink of elimination after five defeats in six matches.

Mott coached England at last year’s T20 World Cup and on Sunday he denied Morgan’s implication that there were problems in the dressing room. He was the subject of increasing attention in the English press and, after England’s 100-run defeat by India at Lucknow, a column in the Today’s telegraph argued that Morgan should take over in case the ECB decides Mott’s time is up.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Morgan said the column was “a bit far-fetched” and said he had no plans to become a coach in the near future. “Everyone has the right to interpret [sic] my comments,” he said. “I was very clear about what I thought was a cause of the performance that the England team produced throughout this World Cup.

“No one in the dressing room – captain or captain, none of the players – can explain the situation they find themselves in. But I’m very happy and cemented, I hope, in what I’m going to do for the future. I I spend a lot of time at home now with my young family, which is great, and I love watching.”

Morgan believes the short turnaround ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in June will work in favor of Mott and captain Jos Buttler. “Actually, I think considering replacing the captain and coach is not a good idea at the moment, simply because of the high turnover rate at World Cups,” he said. “They are double world champions for a reason: they are not a bad team at all.

“Matthew Mott is currently going through his biggest challenge of his England coaching career, and it is one he should be given time to overcome, certainly towards the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the United States” , he added.

Mark Wood became the latest member of the England squad to defend Mott on Wednesday, saying the players themselves must take more responsibility for their underperformance. Asked by the BBC if there was still support for Mott among the players, Wood replied: “For a [T20] World Cup winning coach? Support for a World Cup winning coach? Absolutely.

“As a player you have everything you need… you can’t blame everything on the coach. Sometimes players have to look at themselves and take a little responsibility. I don’t have it good enough played in this World Cup…I don’t think you can blame it on the captain or the coach. Sometimes you have to look at yourself and say you weren’t good enough.”

England still have plenty to play for in their final three group matches, starting with Australia in Ahmedabad on Saturday before matches against the Netherlands and Pakistan next week – including qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy The ICC confirmed last week that hosts Pakistan will be joined by the seven other top-ranked nations at this World Cup, with England in 10th place as things stand.

Morgan said failing to reach this tournament would leave the ECB and men’s sector chief executive Rob Key in a difficult position. “If the England team does not qualify for the Champions Trophy, figures like Rob Key and the ECB board will come under increasing pressure over its [Mott’s] work,” he said.