Former Australian coach Justin Langer has replaced ex-England coach Andy Flower at the helm of Indian Premier League’s Lucknow Supergiants, the team has announced.
The Lucknow franchise only made their debut in the world’s most valuable cricket tournament two years ago and finished in the top four in both their seasons.
But Flower’s two-year contract was not renewed and the team tweeted a picture of him and the message: “Today is goodbye, but it will never be goodbye because you will always be one of us. Thanks for everything!”
It was soon followed by news of Langer’s appointment, along with a photo of him in front of one of the oldest tea shops in the heart of the northern city.
Langer said he was excited about the opportunity.
“I love the game of cricket. I love the passion of the Indian game of cricket,” Langer said in a video posted by the team on Friday.
He coached the Australian men’s national team for nearly four years, rebuilding its morale after the 2018 “sandpaper-gate” scandal in South Africa.
But he came under pressure over his management style and changing mindset, and resigned last year after failing to secure the support of key players and bitter talks with Cricket Australia.
“I want to be part of a team that can make a real difference in the IPL,” he added.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun.”