Ben Stokes says he would love to coach England one day

Ben Stokes told the podcast "For The Love Of Cricket" in London on August 05, 2026, that he would like to coach England in future and is preparing for a coaching role. The comments came after his retirement from international cricket in June.

The 35-year-old all-rounder retired during England's Test series against New Zealand, ending a career that included England's 2019 World Cup triumph and his match-winning Ashes innings at Headingley in 2019. Stokes led England's Test side from 2022 before moving away from the role.

On his coaching plans Stokes said: "I'm doing my Level 3 coaching now while I'm still playing, because I want, when the day comes that I'm not playing any more, I'd love to be able to have all that stuff signed off and done," and added, "I want to be a coach. I know what I want to do in terms of staying within the game, which is to be a coach. And would I love to be coach of England one day? Absolutely."

He expressed confidence in his ability to handle the position, saying: "I would do a pretty good job at it because now I have an understanding of responsibility on the shoulders. I don't actually mind making big decisions."

Stokes also commented on England limited-overs captain Harry Brook, describing him as "freakishly talented" and questioning the message sent by his appointment as vice-captain. "If you think someone is going to be a good captain or a good leader, then just give them (the opportunity)," Stokes said. "Brook was made vice-captain. Even when I missed that Test match (against New Zealand), I was like, 'Why is Brook vice-captain?'"

Reflecting on that decision he added: "I understood the reasoning behind it, but I was still thinking, what message does that send to him? He's vice-captain, and the captain isn't playing, but he's still not captain. What does that say?"

Following Stokes's retirement, England's all-time leading run scorer in Tests, Joe Root, was reappointed as captain, and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was appointed as coach.