Brendon McCullum emerges as candidate to coach England's red-ball side - reports

The former Blackcaps captain is a friend of England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan and known to favour an aggressive style of cricket

Brendon McCullum could be a surprise selection as England's new men's red-ball head coach.

Reports in the English media on Wednesday suggested the New Zealander is among the candidates for the position, with an appointment expected this week.

The position became vacant following the dismissal of Chris Silverwood after a nightmare Ashes tour, with Paul Collingwood filling the role on an interim basis during the 1-0 series defeat to West Indies in the Caribbean in March.

Former Blackcaps captain McCullum is a friend of England white-ball skipper Eoin Morgan and known to favour an aggressive style of cricket, meaning a position with the limited-overs setup may feel more natural.

^{Brendon McCullum is reportedly a strong candidate for the England men's red-ball head coach role [Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images]}

Several national newspapers, however, have reported that he could be lined up for a place in the English red-ball setup, as the ECB look to assemble a backroom team capable of generating a return to some sort of form following five Test series without a win.

It looks very likely that whoever is appointed will come from overseas, with South African Gary Kirsten and Australian Simon Katich understood to also be in contention.

McCullum is currently at the Indian Premier League, where he is the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.

Interviews have been taking place between the ECB and the candidates for the red and white-ball positions this week, with an announcement possible either late this week or next.

^{McCullum is friends with England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan [Julian Finney/Getty Images]}

The first Test squad of the summer is expected to be named following the next round of LV= Insurance County Championship fixtures.

England, who are under new captaincy in the shape of Ben Stokes, have won one of their past 17 Test matches. 

They face World Test Championship winners New Zealand in a three-match series to kick off the summer. The first of those games is scheduled to take place at Lord's from June 2. 

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