3 players who can replace Brendon McCullum as England's Test head coach

Brendon McCullum has been removed from his post as England Men's Test coach, marking the end of the Bazball era that once promised a revolution in Test cricket. Ben Stokes' shock international retirement and England's subsequent capitulation to a series defeat have left the ECB under pressure to not only find his replacement as Test captain but potentially rip up the entire Bazball era and start afresh.

The search for the next England Test head coach is now underway, with the 2027 Ashes looming as a critical deadline. The ECB must identify a leader who understands English cricket culture, commands respect from the dressing room, and can build a disciplined yet competitive Test unit.

The next coach will inherit a side bruised by recent failures but filled with talented batters and bowlers. England's Test ranking and world standing now depend on finding the right voice to steer the ship. The timing couldn't be tighter, with international cricket's flagship series approaching fast.

Here are three former England internationals who possess the credentials and experience to lead the nation back to Test glory:

3 players who can replace Brendon McCullum as England's Test head coach

Jonathan Trott

Jonathan Trott is a former England cricketer who is the former head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team. Afghanistan's final T20 World Cup 2026 group stage game against Canada in Chennai was Trott's final game in charge, when the Rashid Khan-led side beat Pakistan and England in the ODI World Cup 2023 and qualified for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in 2024. His tenure with Afghanistan, though mixed in recent years, demonstrated his ability to elevate a team from underdogs to genuine contenders on the world stage.

After stepping down as Afghanistan coach, Jonathan Trott expressed pride in his tenure and revealed his ambition to coach England in the future, now open to considering new opportunities following the T20 World Cup 2026. Trott said he would love to one day have the opportunity to coach a team that he holds so dear to his heart, though acknowledged there are many people who would love the job. Trott worked as a batting coach for the senior England men's team on their tour of India in 2021 and understands the modern English player mentality. His blend of coaching experience and deep ties to English cricket give him a realistic shot at the role.

Alastair Cook

Cook scored 12,472 runs in 161 Tests for England between 2006 and 2018, with only Joe Root having more runs for the country, and captained them in 59 matches, winning 24, losing 22 and drawing 13. His resume speaks to a player who thrived under pressure, mastered varied conditions, and understood what it takes to lead a world-class Test team. Cook's retirement from all cricket in 2023 has left him free of coaching commitments, making him immediately available.

Cook expressed a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to the future of English cricket should the right opportunity present itself. He emphasised that there has been "zero contact" from the board so far, noting that the team currently has a full staff in place, and remains open to the idea of helping the squad in the future. If McCullum's great strength is making his players feel 10 feet tall, Cook could help with the drive and the discipline, according to veteran analyst Michael Atherton. His technical prowess, championship mindset, and experience battling Australia in their own backyard make him a compelling choice.

Eoin Morgan

Morgan captained England in limited overs cricket from 2015 until his international retirement in June 2022 and is regarded as one of England's greatest limited-overs captains, under whose captaincy England won the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and reached the final of the 2016 ICC World Twenty20. While his pedigree is limited-overs focused, his leadership credentials are unmatched in modern English cricket.

Morgan is a cricket commentator and former cricketer who played for Ireland and England, currently without a coaching role and available immediately. Morgan previously said the timing for everything in his life at that moment was not right, citing a young family and spending more time at home while loving what he's doing watching cricket through commentary. However, the England Test job carries prestige that could change his calculus. His revolutionary impact on England's white-ball culture, combined with his tactical intelligence and player management skills, could translate well to the red-ball arena if he chooses to pivot into full-time coaching.

The ECB will weigh experience against fresh perspective as it navigates this crucial transition. With the 2027 Ashes in Australia on the horizon, England must move decisively to appoint the right leader.