‘Go and get him’ – Michael Vaughan backs Justin Langer for England job after Australia resignation

Michael Vaughan has backed former Australia head coach Justin Langer for the vacant England position.

Cricket Australia confirmed on Saturday that Langer had resigned from the job after rejecting a short-term contract extension.

His current deal was due to expire in June but Cricket Australia wanted him to stay on beyond the summer after leading the team to T20 World Cup glory and an emphatic Ashes win in the past three months.

Vaughan is an admirer of Langer, who took over in 2018 following the Australia ball-tampering scandal, and has urged England to ‘go and get him’ following the sacking of counterpart Chris Silverwood.

Silverwood was axed as head coach and lead selector last week following this winter’s 4-0 Ashes defeat in Australia.

‘I do not see any one else better suited than Justin Langer to crack heads together and bring some tough management to a group of England players who have become too cosy recently,’ Vaughan wrote in a column for the Daily Telegraph.

‘This England Test team needs some tough love. Joe Root needs a forceful coach next to him too.

‘Gary Kirsten would be a great candidate as well but if you want one person to come in with a huge point to prove then it is Langer.

‘He is an Ashes winner, T20 World Cup winner and knows everything about playing in Australia. Just go and get him.’

Following Silverwood’s sacking, England’s interim director of cricket Sir Andrew Strauss refused to rule out the possibility of Langer taking over.

He said: ‘I know him well and on the surface he’s done a very good job with that Australian cricket team, so I wouldn’t rule him out.’

Despite Australia’s recent success, there has been mounting speculation over Langer’s future as some players have reportedly had issues with the