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 Herald and The Age reported widespread dressing room dissatisfaction over his coaching style, Langer said he had until recently not been aware of any criticism from players and key figures in Cricket Australia over his performance.
In fact, he said, the reports he had received had been “overwhelmingly positive”.
But white-ball captain Aaron Finch last week said Langer had found player reviews of his methods “confronting” while praising the coach’s response to the critique. Langer is due to come out of contract next year after taking the reins in May 2018, just months after the Australian cricket was brought to its knees by the ball tampering scandal in South Africa. He says he wants to stay in the job beyond next year.
“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.
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.
“I didn’t like losing to India in the amazing series, no one likes losing. I’m absolutely committed, I love my job, I love the Australian cricket team, I love the players and I love Australian cricket.
“They’re the things I value most in my life. Hopefully I’ve done a really good job the last three years, that’s been the feedback. Long may that continue.
