Justin Langer resignation letter: ex-Australia coach apologises for being "too intense"

Langer resigned from his position as head coach of the Australia men’s team on February 5, rejecting a six-month extension to his contract

Justin Langer has apologised for being "too intense" in his resignation letter to Cricket Australia.

In the letter, first published in the Australian newspaper on February 6, the ex-head coach addressed his much-scrutinised coaching philosophy, the lack of support from senior players and support staff, and the media speculation surrounding his tenure, which has taken an "enormous toll" on his family.

However, he finished the letter on a high, expressing his hope that he’s left the Australia team in a better position than when he inherited it.

Langer, who was appointed head coach in 2018 in the wake of the sandpaper scandal, enjoyed success in both red and white-ball cricket while at the helm, lifting the T20 World Cup in 2021, twice retaining the Ashes, and leading Australia to the top of the ICC’s Test rankings.

However, his time in the role has also been plagued with negative reports surrounding his leadership style and friction with players.

He resigned from his position on February 5, rejecting a six-month contract extension.

^{Langer's resignation comes just days after he was inducted in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame [Jonathan diMaggio/Getty Images]}

"There has been a great deal of media speculation on my future as the Australian men's cricket coach over the last 12 months and this has taken an enormous toll on my family. I hope through this time, and throughout my tenure, I have held myself with integrity and dignity," Langer’s email to Cricket Australia CEO, Nick Hockley, read.

"Last night I was offered a short-term contract until the end of the T20 World Cup in Australia, with the sentiment of 'going out on a high'. After careful consideration I have decided not to accept this contract renewal, and as a result I believe it is in everyone's best interests for the Australian cricket team to begin the next chapter immediately.

"If media reports are correct, several senior players and a couple of support staff don't support me moving forward, and it is now apparent the CA board, and you Nick, are also keen to see the team move in another direction. I respect that decision.

"My life has been built on values of honesty, respect, trust, truth, and performance and if that comes across as 'too intense' at times, I apologise.

"It is said that in any venture, if you leave things in a better place than when you started then you have done your job. Whilst it is not up to me to judge, I hope Australians respect what has been achieved over the last four years in Australian cricket. From day one I believed it was possible to both win and play the game in the spirit that is now expected from our supporters.

"For the last four years it has been proven this can be achieved and I am very proud of the team for their efforts on and off the cricket field. I hope we have made Australians proud and earned respect from countries around the world.

"In terms of 'going out on a high', I am blessed to have been a part of a T20 World Cup-winning squad, an Ashes winning squad, watched the Test team rise to no.1 ranked team in the world today, been selected as the Wisden Coach of the Year and been elevated to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame; all this in the last five months. I am grateful that today, I am going out on a high."

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Justin Langer resigns as Australia head coach

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