Key insists Collingwood is “an asset” despite being snubbed for head coach role

Paul Collingwood took interim charge of England after Chris Silverwood was sacked following the Ashes, but was overlooked for a permanent head coach role in favour of Brendon McCullum and Matthew Mott

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Rob Key excited to ‘shape new England era’ after securing managing director role

New Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Rob Key has insisted Paul Collingwood remains “an asset” to the side, despite being snubbed in the search for Chris Silverwood’s replacements.

Silverwood was axed as head coach following the 4-0 Ashes humiliation, with assistant coach Collingwood taking interim charge of England’s T20 and Test tours of the West Indies. The 45-year-old did express his interest in becoming a permanent head coach and was widely viewed as the front-runner to coach the white ball side after Key decided to split the role.

“I haven’t got much experience as a head coach but you would never get a job if that’s the case,” he said in March. “I’ve put my hat in the ring and if they want us they know where I am.

“They’ve seen what I can do so if they want us they know where I am. I feel as though what I’ve done over the last few weeks is a good start but it’s only a start.

“If I was to take this team forward I’d want to make them a lot better as quickly as possible.” However, Collingwood was ultimately overlooked, with New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum named Test coach and Matthew Mott taking charge of the white ball side, leaving question marks over Collingwood’s future with England.

Key has confirmed that Collingwood will be part of the coaching setup for next month’s Test series against New Zealand, but admitted he is unsure over his long-term future with the side. “Paul Collingwood is in the system,” Key said.

“He’s an asset in our environment, whether that’s red or white ball. As I’ve said before, I’m not the head coach of these teams, these guys [McCullum and Mott] are going to come in and start looking at who adds value the most and in what parts, because they’re their set-ups now.

“What I would say, as I’ve said to all of our specialist coaches, is that we need more coaches not fewer. We cannot have it where we’re saying that we’ve split the coaching roles, because it’s not possible for a head coach to be able to do everything, then have all the support staff doing everything.

“Paul Collingwood is an asset in our environment, where he’s going to be for the whole summer, I don’t think we know until the coaches come in. What he will be doing is he will be with the Test side at the start, so for the first couple of Tests he’ll be with the Test boys.”