'I'm worth more' - Flintoff leaves Superchargers

Andrew Flintoff's Superchargers were knocked out of this year's Hundred when their Eliminator against Trent Rockets was washed out by rain

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff says he will no longer coach Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, adding he is "worth more" than what the franchise's new owners offered him.

Flintoff, 47, has been Superchargers men's coach for the past two seasons and led the side to a fourth-placed finish in 2024 before reaching the Eliminator this summer.

Flintoff, known as 'Freddie', said he held talks with Superchargers' new owners the Sun Group, one of eight new investors in the franchises who take charge for next season, but turned down an offer.

"I genuinely don't do it for the money, although it's nice, but I'm worth more than just over a quarter of the [salary of] other head coaches," Flintoff told the Beard Before Wicket podcast.

"I wasn't encouraged they wanted me anyway, but then also you want to feel valued.

"So I said that it's not going to work for me, and they weren't going to move on it."

A Sun Group spokesperson said: "We had discussions with Freddie and extended an offer, which was an increase over his current salary at Northern Superchargers.

"While we would have loved to have him on board, we respect his decision."

Flintoff is also the head coach of the England Lions development side and his results at the Superchargers alongside England white-ball captain Harry Brook - his first full-time first-team coaching position - have been impressive.

The Headingley-based franchise finished bottom of the standings in the year before he took over and sixth and fifth in the two seasons prior.

A coach of his stature - he played 79 Tests for England and was part of the 2005 Ashes win - has also been a boost to the tournament.

Flintoff, who has also been tipped a future England head coach, was regularly the most popular request for fans hunting autographs and pictures after matches in Leeds.

"We've seen the Hundred change now," said Flintoff. "We've got new owners, and I spoke to them when they phoned up. They said they wanted us to do it, so I said: 'Yeah, fine. Make us an offer.'

"I'm not going to do it, which is sad. The past two years, I felt we were building somewhere really nice, and I'd have loved to have seen it through."

Yorkshire were the only county to sell their entire stake in their Hundred franchise during the process earlier this year.

India-based media company Sun Group, owners of Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad, have paid just over £100m. They also own Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa's SA20.

With different IPL owners investing in four Hundred teams - the Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave and Manchester Originals - it is expected there will be some continuity of kits, team names, players and possibly coaches with owners' other teams.

Former New Zealand international Daniel Vettori is Sunrisers Hyderabad coach but is currently in charge of Birmingham Phoenix.

Trent Rockets are currently without a head coach after Andy Flower moved to London Spirit in a deal announced last week.