Freddie Flintoff has stepped down from his position as head coach of the England Lions cricket team, a role he took on in September 2024. The former all-rounder has decided to leave after nearly two years in the job.
New role with Sydney Thunder
In June, it was confirmed that Flintoff would become head coach of Sydney Thunder in Australia's Big Bash League. He announced his departure from the Lions on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the country's best young cricketers.
"Unfortunately I’ve made the decision to step away from my role with the Lions," he wrote. "Not only have I enjoyed my time having the opportunity to work with the best young cricketers in the country, but have taken great pride in seeing them develop."
Tributes and thanks
Flintoff thanked the coaches and staff for their passion and support, singling out performance director Ed Barney and Rob Key for trusting him with one of the most important roles in English cricket. He also wished his successor luck, saying, "you have some big pants to fill."
Ed Barney, ECB men's performance director, praised Flintoff's impact: "Fred has helped to transform the Lions environment into a programme that has had a major impact on young players. By creating an environment that both supports and pushes excellence at all times he has helped bring forward a new generation of young players."
Return to the spotlight
The 48-year-old took time away from the spotlight following a horrific car crash while filming Top Gear in 2022. He suffered devastating injuries, resulting in a £9 million payout from BBC Studios. The show was subsequently shelved.
Flintoff is set to front a new ITV documentary about people with Tourette's later this year. Speaking about the project, he said: "Working with young people has always been a huge passion point for me, and Tourette’s is a condition that primarily starts in childhood. The thought of kids isolating themselves and facing such strong stigma both breaks my heart and resonates deeply with me – after my accident, I wouldn’t leave my own house and that’s a feeling I would never want anyone, let alone a kid, to go through."
Bullseye future
Bullseye, which Flintoff fronts alongside darts sensation Luke Littler, is set to return for a second series in 2027, with a Christmas special also booked. Flintoff said of the renewal: "It’s great that Bullseye still has a special place in the nation’s heart, as it does mine, and I loved bringing it back on TV screens. I can’t wait to see what a new season brings."
