Justin Langer insisted he has not had any contact over the vacant England Test coach role but hinted he could be interested in the post.
The former Australia coach, who is currently leading the Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred, has emerged as a favourite to succeed Brendon McCullum following his sacking earlier this month.
Andy Flower was the early front-runner but has ruled himself out of a return to the role.
Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Langer said: “I haven’t heard from anyone. It’s all paper talk.
“There’s three (big) coaching roles in the world – the Australian head coach, the Indian head coach and the England head coach. But it’s all hypothetical, isn’t it? I’m passionate about the game of cricket but mainly about Test cricket.”
Having played more than 100 Test matches for Australia as well as coaching the side for four years, Langer was pressed on whether he could see himself donning England colours.
“I think, with world cricket, it’s so global,” the 55-year-old said.
“It’s so different. I’d never have dreamed I’d be coaching franchise cricket. I never dreamed I’d coach Australia. When it comes to coaching, it’s a career and everyone looks at all opportunities, don’t they?”
The new coach will need to work alongside McCullum, who has retained his role with the limited-overs sides.
“It can (work) if you’ve got the right people,” Langer added. “They’ve got to get on very well and they’ve got to be on the same page. I actually feel for Baz McCullum. It is a really, really tough job.”
Meanwhile, Australia coach Andrew McDonald would not be surprised to see former captain Ben Stokes back in the fold for next year’s Ashes series.
Stokes dramatically retired from international cricket during the third Test against New Zealand last month but is still playing for Durham.
McDonald told SEN radio: “I think the fairy-tale would be that he comes back out of retirement and takes on one more Ashes and builds a lot of hype on the way in.
“If you’re looking at promoting that series, that’s probably the angle that you would want.
“To me, he’s still got a lot of good cricket left in him. It’ll be a fascinating watch. I think that whoever the new head coach that comes in potentially has a conversation with him.”
On whether he could see Stokes reversing his decision, Langer said: “Only he can answer that. What I honestly believe is that, when you know your time’s up, your time’s up.
“He’s so fit. Physically he can, mentally he can, but only in his heart if he wants to. When it comes to the Ashes, from an Australian point of view, I hope he doesn’t. He’s a warrior. You’d have him in your team every single day of the week.”
