Andrew Flintoff has announced his exit as head coach of the Northern Superchargers after two seasons, citing unresolved contract negotiations with the franchise’s new Indian owners, the Sun Group. Flintoff, who took on the role in November 2023, expressed that the proposed terms did not reflect his perceived value, leading to his departure ahead of the 2026 Hundred season.
The former England all-rounder’s tenure saw the Superchargers achieve steady progress. In the 2024 season, the team finished fourth, followed by an improved third-place finish in the league stage this year. Despite this on-field development, their tournament hopes were cut short due to a washed-out eliminator match, with rivals Trent Rockets advancing based on league standings.
Flintoff also currently leads the England Lions, managing their winter tour of Australia. Speaking on a podcast, he detailed the breakdown in talks with the Sun Group, which also owns IPL and SA20 franchises. He stated that while he doesn’t coach primarily for financial gain, he felt the offered salary was significantly lower than that of other head coaches, indicating a lack of valuation.
“I think I’m worth more than just over a quarter of the [salary of] other head coaches. I wasn’t encouraged they wanted me anyway, but then also you want to feel valued. So I said that it’s not going to work for me, and they weren’t going to move on it,” Flintoff explained. He expressed sadness at leaving, having felt progress was being made.
The franchise, however, stated they had offered a higher salary to retain him. Flintoff’s availability has now sparked interest from other Hundred teams, with Manchester Originals and Trent Rockets reportedly considering him. He confirmed receiving other coaching offers but is currently relaxed about his next move.