'Key must approach McCullum about England white-ball job'

Brendon McCullum (right) took over as England's Test coach on a four-year deal in May 2022

England managing director Rob Key must speak to Brendon McCullum about becoming the country's new limited-overs head coach, says former captain Eoin Morgan.

Matthew Mott stepped down from the white-ball role on Tuesday after England failed to defend either of the limited-overs World Cups during his tenure.

His assistant Marcus Trescothick has been put in temporary charge for the series against Australia in September as Key begins the search for a successor.

Morgan, who skippered England to glory at the 2019 World Cup, said on Sky Sports that Test coach McCullum "is one of the best coaches in the world" and should be sounded out about combining the two roles.

"Rob Key should have that conversation, because we've seen the dramatic turnaround in the Test team and the foil he has made with Ben Stokes," Morgan said.

"I'm not sure he [McCullum] has given it a lot of thought yet [but] he should.

"He is a very versatile, more than capable coach, who is highly regarded and ultimately made the England Test team a better side - which is what you want from your head coach."

McCullum, 42, was asked after last month's Test series victory over the West Indies if he could combine his current role with the white-ball job, but did not answer.

Key split England's head coach position into separate Test and white-ball posts after the last man to combine the roles, Chris Silverwood, left in 2022.

Morgan acknowledged Key would have to make the prospect an appealing one for New Zealander McCullum, who took over as Test coach in May 2022, to take on the extra responsibility.

He added: "The question would be how will he [McCullum] make it fit over the course of the next 12 months? But from Rob Key's point of view he needs to make it attractive."

England need 'best on the planet'

Key said after Mott's departure that England needed "a new direction to prepare for the challenges ahead".

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who was part of Mott's backroom staff and is leading Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, is one candidate, having being tipped as a future head coach of the national side by Key.

Jonathan Trott, the former England batter, has impressed as head coach of Afghanistan but has just taken over Pretoria Capitals in the SAT20.

Australian Mike Hussey, who is leading Welsh Fire in The Hundred, has previously been part of England's coaching team.

Morgan also mentioned former India coach Rahul Dravid, ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting and Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming as potential candidates.

Dublin-born Morgan is adamant Mott's replacement must be someone who can hit the ground running.

"It's not the option of let someone come and in and grow, you are talking about winning World Cups and winning Champions Trophies," Morgan said.

"This is not an opportunity for a young guy to come in. You want the best person on the planet to come in and help captain Jos Buttler and the England team get better."