Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has revealed the stunning motive behind his departure from Northern Superchargers after two seasons as head coach.
The previous England all-rounder was seen as a left-field appointment when he took cost of the Headingley-based Hundred franchise, because it marked his first full-time, first-team teaching function.
It adopted a quick stint with the England males’s backroom workers, a part of his return to public life after a life-threatening accident on the set of the BBC’s High Gear in December 2022.
After the Superchargers had completed backside of the standings the earlier yr, Flintoff oversaw a right away enchancment, guiding them to fourth place in 2024 and into the Eliminator this summer season.
Now 47, Flintoff has revealed that he discussions with the Superchargers’ new homeowners, the Solar Group – who acquired 100 per cent possession of the franchise amid a wave of latest funding within the competitors – however finally turned down their supply to proceed.
Chatting with the Beard Earlier than Wicket podcast, Flintoff stated: ‘They phoned me up saying they needed me to do it (proceed within the function) and I stated “yeah, high-quality, make me a suggestion”.
The previous England all-rounder was seen as a left-field appointment when he took cost of the Headingley-based Hundred franchise, because it marked his first full-time, first-team function
Flintoff instructed Beard Earlier than Wicket podcast: ‘I genuinely don’t do it for the cash, however I feel I’m value extra than simply over 1 / 4 (of the wage) of the opposite head coaches’
Flintoff’s work with Northern Superchargers – alongside England white-ball captain Harry Brook – earned reward in addition to boosting the visibility of the match
‘And I genuinely don’t do it for the cash, however I feel I’m value extra than simply over 1 / 4 (of the wage) of the opposite head coaches.
‘The cash was one factor – I’m not fairly positive they need me anyway – however then additionally you need to really feel valued. So I stated that it’s not going to work for me after which they weren’t going to maneuver on it so sadly, I’m not going to do it.’
Flintoff can also be head coach of England’s growth facet, the Lions, and his work with the Superchargers – alongside England white-ball captain Harry Brook – has earned reward alongside boosting the visibility of the match.
‘It’s unhappy as a result of the final two years I felt we had been constructing to someplace very nice, and I’d’ve liked to have seen it by way of.’
Rashid, one of many staff’s marquee gamers, responded by telling Flintoff: ‘You’ll be missed. I wasn’t anticipating that.’
Yorkshire had been the one county to promote their total stake of their Hundred franchise earlier this yr. The staff is now anticipated to rebrand beneath the Sunrisers identify, according to their IPL and SA20 counterparts.
