Justin Langer says he has taken on board the feedback from players over his coaching style and wants to remain at the helm of the national men’s team beyond his current contract.
On the eve of his first game in charge, since the widespread dressing room dissatisfaction was reported over his coaching style, Justin Langer said he had until recently not been aware of any criticism from players and key figures in Cricket Australia over his performance.
Justin Langer Loves His Job As Australian Coach And Wants To Continue The Job Even After His Contract Ends
In fact, he said, the reports he had received had been “overwhelmingly positive”. But white-ball captain Aaron Finch last week said Justin Langer had found player reviews of his methods “confronting” while praising the coach’s response to the critique.
“If the board and the CEO and high-performance manager believe I’m the right person to keep leading us forward, absolutely. I absolutely love my job,” Langer said.
“I didn’t like losing to India in the amazing series, no one likes losing.Hopefully I’ve done a really good job the last three years, that’s been the feedback. Long may that continue.”
“Until my contract comes up in a year’s time or beyond I’ll be doing what I always do. I’ll be working really hard to help Australian cricket become a great Australian cricket team.”
Justin Langer said he was hurt and confused by some of the criticism he received from the players over his style of working but remains keen to lead the side and get an extension when his current contract runs out next year. Reports of dressing-room unrest and discontent over his coaching style surfaced after Australia was beaten 2-1 in the test series at home by an injury-ravaged India in January.
The players took part in an end-of-season review with leadership consultant Tim Ford, and Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch said this week that Justin Langer had cleared the air before flying with the team to West Indies.
Justin Langer ‘Hurt And Confused’ By Criticism But Has No Plans To Quit As Australia Coach
Justin Langer has been widely praised for overseeing an improvement in player behaviour but there has been discontent among players and staff over what they say is his intensity and mood swings.
“I haven’t changed much in twenty-odd years of being involved in Australian cricket. Some of the things I was reading was a bit confusing actually. If I’m completely honest I was really hurt by some of it,” Langer said.
“Maybe I am being a sook but in three years I hadn’t heard from the chairman, the CA board, I hadn’t heard from the two CEOs, I hadn’t heard from the high-performance managers, I hadn’t heard from any of the people I work with and I certainly hadn’t heard from any of the players which has been so widely reported.”
“Not once have the players or any of those people … in fact the feedback I’ve been given for three years has been overwhelmingly positive of the role that I’ve been able to play as a coach and more importantly [the place] where the team’s come [to] – and that’s what it’s about. I’ll take on board, just like you guys in the media. I am, the team is, the players are, and I’m looking forward to that.”
Despite recent reports of player disharmony, Justin Langer said he was enjoying being back among his charges for the tour of the West Indies.
“We addressed some of those issues,” Langer said.
West Indies probable playing XI: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Fabian Allen, Obed McCoy, Fidel Edwards
Australia probable playing XI: Aaron Finch (c), Matt Wade, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Daniel Christian, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood