Atherton backs Andy Flower for England coaching role citing Multan Sultans’ success

Michael Atherton supports Andy Flower as the ideal replacement for Matthew Mott as England's head white-ball coach.

Flower previously led England to the top of Test rankings and their first T20 World Cup win

"No man ever steps in the same river twice," wrote Michael Atherton in a column for The Times. "It rarely makes sense in sport, nor in life, to trace back one’s steps but I wonder whether Andy Flower could be persuaded to dip his toes into the water again with England? He is undoubtedly the outstanding candidate to replace Matthew Mott."

The ECB recently announced Mott's resignation as white-ball head coach, with Jonathan Trott, Mike Hussey, and interim head coach Marcus Trescothick among the top candidates to succeed him, while Flower is considered a less likely option.

Atherton suggests Flower's success in franchise cricket, like with Multan Sultans and Trent Rockets, prepares him well for the role.

"He transformed Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League; has won the Abu Dhabi T10; he took a St Lucia side to the final of the Caribbean Premier League for the first time; and won the Hundred with Trent Rockets," wrote Atherton. "Although the comings and goings of the franchise circuit demands different skills than a national team, the bitty nature of the white-ball job carries similarities.

"Along with Duncan Fletcher, Flower was one of England’s two best coaches of the modern era, at a time before the schedule made it impossible to coach both Test and white-ball teams. He took England to the top of the world rankings in Test cricket by driving a hard bargain with his players and won England’s first global white-ball tournament in 2010. He was tough, uncompromising and successful."

Despite past criticisms of Flower's intensity, Atherton notes he may have mellowed and gained valuable experience since.

"Flower has changed, too," wrote Atherton. "He is said to have mellowed somewhat in his approach. Possibly this is because of age; possibly because of the power that players now hold. They have many more options than when Flower was involved with England; the IPL had started — and may have played its part in driving a wedge between him and Kevin Pietersen — but franchise leagues have proliferated since then.

"He is vastly more experienced than he was then; more able, perhaps, to vary his approach according to the demands of the different jobs he holds. Franchise roles require coaches to think short-term, rather than the developmental long-term role he had previously with England. This variety of roles will have broadened his experience and his exposure."

Flower's current IPL coaching role with RCB could complicate negotiations, but Atherton argues for flexibility in managing both roles effectively.

"Would Flower be interested? Could he be persuaded? International jobs are not as sought after as they were and a sticking point could be the IPL, where Flower coaches RCB," wrote Atherton. "But why would doing both be necessarily ruled out? There is no international cricket during the IPL window and coaching in the IPL can only be of benefit, keeping an eye on trends and players as they emerge. A degree of flexibility seems the likeliest way of securing a top-notch coach."