Andy Flower rules himself out of England men's Test head coach job to succeed Brendon McCullum

Andy Flower has ruled himself out of contention to succeed Brendon McCullum as England's new Test head coach, following conversations with ECB managing director Rob Key.

McCullum was removed from his job with England's red ball side last week with former Zimbabwe international Flower, who led the team to victory in the three Ashes series during his previous spell in charge between 2009 and 2014, quickly emerging as favourite to replace him.

Flower is currently in charge of Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru as well as The Hundred side London Spirit, and he cited his IPL commitments - which would overlap with the early weeks of the English cricket season - as a reason why he does not wish to be considered by England.

"Obviously that is a topic that's being talked about at the moment," he said. "I have spoken with the ECB. We're all aware of the vacancy for the head coach job of the England national team.

"I have spoken with Rob and the ECB on that topic. The bottom line for me is that I'm very happy in the work that I'm doing at the moment. I work for a couple of really good organisations, I've got really good teams around me, really good people around me. I'm really comfortable with what I'm doing at the moment.

"I've worked with England before, as you all know. I had an amazing time when I had the privilege to be England head coach and represent England as one of their leaders a number of years ago. I remember those years really fondly.

"It would be a privilege for me or anyone else to be the Test coach. But for me at this time, I'm really comfortable with what I'm doing. I'm going to stick with doing that."

Asked whether he had formally ruled himself out, he said: "I have, yes."

He continued: "I don't think I could have done both [jobs], especially with the IPL being held during the first couple of months of the English summer.

"If I was England Test coach I would like to be here, watching and interacting. For me, that wasn't a possibility.

"We all like clarity. Obviously there'll be lots of debate over who might do the head coach role. But I won't be part of that debate. It is nice to draw a little line under that. My focus is on this job [London Spirit]."

Flower's withdrawal means the ECB must pursue alternative target for a long-term successor to McCullum.

Former Australia coach Justin Langer and former England captain Andrew Flintoff have emerged as the stand-out names on a lengthy shortlist of would-be candidates.

McCullum's departure from the role of England Test head coach leaves the ECB with a huge gap to fill ahead of a crucial home Ashes series next summer.

McCullum took charge in the spring of 2022 and quickly restored belief in England's Test side, winning 11 of his first 13 matches.

But a disappointing 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, followed by eight losses in the team's last 12 Tests, brought the 'Bazball' era to an end and left England searching for a new red-ball coach.

A plethora of names from home and abroad have been tipped to replace him - but who is in the running?